National Merit

Scholarship Corporation

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the second group of scholarship winners in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The 2,500 National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. Contact your local news outlet for the names of scholarship winners in your area.^®

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the first group of scholarship winners in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 770 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 94 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program and these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

NMSC is pleased to welcome Adient Foundation Inc. as a sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program. Adient Foundation Inc. provides Merit Scholarship awards to the children of Adient US LLC employees as part of its commitment to higher education.

Today NMSC is announcing new options for you to support our mission of recognizing and honoring the academically talented students of the United States. Our new, streamlined donation site allows supporters to quickly give to specific areas of need with an option for a one-time gift or a recurring monthly contribution. Each contributor will also have access to a donor portal to manage their giving. Our goal is to eventually fund a scholarship for every qualified Finalist who competes in the National Merit Scholarship Program, as all Finalists are deserving of monetary aid to further their education. With your support, we can make that happen.

NMSC is excited to announce the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 2024 National Merit® Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program. The names of Semifinalists are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

To compete for National Merit Scholarships, Semifinalists must advance to the Finalist level of the competition by fulfilling several additional requirements. A Semifinalist can become a Finalist and compete for a Merit Scholarship award in only one program year.

NMSC is excited to announce the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit® Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program. The names of Semifinalists are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

 

Today’s announcement is the final National Merit Scholar release in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. NMSC named recipients of corporate-sponsored awards on April 27, winners of National Merit ^® $2500 Scholarships on May 11, and the first group of college-sponsored award winners on June 1. There will be some additional individual Scholar releases throughout the summer. In this year’s competition, more than 7,200 academic champions have won National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the second group of scholarship winners in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The 2,500 National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding Finalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the first group of scholarship winners in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 1,000 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 136 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program and these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

"Being open to opportunities not on my initial path has defined my career happiness and satisfaction as has valuing relationships and the opportunities to learn at every turn," says attorney, author, corporate and career development speaker, and National Merit Scholar Ellen Poole. Following these opportunities led the 1982 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Merit Scholarship recipient far from her original plan when she entered college: becoming a large animal veterinarian. In her interview with NMSC, Ellen details her journey from uncertain college student to expert at the top of her field and shares her insights into how to have a rewarding career by creating a strong network, building meaningful relationships, and following unexpected opportunities.

Page four from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation section of the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide provides an overview of the steps in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. The PSAT/NMSQT^® Student Guide is sent to high schools for distribution to students before the test.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation is excited to announce the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Approximately 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title. The press release is available here. The names of Semifinalists are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

Today’s announcement is the final National Merit Scholar release in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. NMSC named recipients of corporate-sponsored awards on April 21, winners of National Merit ® $2500 Scholarships on May 12, and the first group of college-sponsored award winners on June 2. There will be some additional individual Scholar releases throughout the summer. In this year’s competition, more than 7,500 academic champions have won National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

Q. Where are you attending college, and what do you plan to major in? Why did you choose this field of study? 

A. I am attending college at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and am majoring in computer science and brain and cognitive sciences, along with mathematics. I chose these fields of study not only because of my general passion for math and computer science throughout high school but also my curiosity about the mysteries of the human brain and my desire to help others. 

Q. What have you recently read, experienced, or discovered about this field that excites you? 

A. I've recently read about some work at the MIT McGovern Institute for Brain Research and the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. It amazes me how much overlap there is between these research groups and science in general. I have always loved the prospect of interdisciplinary research and am excited to engage in it at world-class research centers. 

WASHINGTON, DC (June 8, 2021)—On Thursday, June 3, 2021, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC^®) and UNCF (United Negro College Fund) celebrated the success of the Achievement Capstone Program, a scholarship program that grants financial assistance to highachieving, underrepresented college graduates at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs).

Today’s announcement of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners is the third National Merit Scholar release in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. NMSC named recipients of corporate-sponsored awards on April 21 and winners of National Merit ® $2500 Scholarships on May 12. Additional recipients of college-sponsored awards will be announced on July 12. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, about 7,500 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth approximately $30 million. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the second group of scholarship winners in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The 2,500 National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners were chosen from a talent pool of some 16,000 Finalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

“I was overjoyed to receive the National Merit Scholarship,” James P. Adams says when reflecting on his receipt of a 2020 National Merit University of Idaho Scholarship. “By relieving much of the financial burden from attending college,” he continues, “it will free me to delve deeper into the wealth of knowledge available there.” James is studying mechanical engineering at the University of Idaho and is excited to pursue a career that involves “inventing, designing, and creating things” that will help the progress of humanity.  

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the first group of scholarship winners in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 1,000 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 140 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program and these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website. 

Today, NMSC mailed instructions for completing the Online Scholarship Renewal Application to Scholars with renewable stipends. Online Scholarship Renewal Applications are due March 24, 2021. Please contact the Scholarship Administration department with any questions or concerns at (847) 866-5161.

Today NMSC mailed Certificates of Merit to principals across the country, notifying them of the students who have advanced to Finalist standing in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. Letters will be mailed to Finalists’ homes on February 8.. Over 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists named in September 2020 have met all requirements to advance to Finalist standing in the competition. All Finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2021.

With the start of a new year, NMSC is excited to welcome the high school graduating class of 2020 to the NMSC Scholar Community. Recipients of awards administered by NMSC are invited to create an account on the Scholar Community site and leave a Scholar Note describing educational, career, and community accomplishments.

NMSC recently corresponded with Dr. Thomas R. Cech, a 1966 National Merit Scholar and the recipient of the 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, whose research on RNA is especially relevant now as COVID-19 vaccines are being created and approved.  The following post was originally written by Dr. Cech before the FDA approved the BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and details the process of making a vaccine comprised of mRNA, offering a glimpse of hope for the end of the global pandemic.  NMSC applauds the dedication to education and research exhibited by the scientists who have worked so hard to create these vaccines.  NMSC wants to specifically thank Dr. Cech for his part in helping all of us better understand the complexities of vaccine development and for continuing to promote a wider and deeper respect for learning.

All of us at National Merit Scholarship Corporation send our best wishes for an enjoyable and safe holiday season. This is an ideal time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and to express appreciation to family, friends, and others who have enabled our progress. We hope that the new year will bring opportunities and successes to the talented Scholars, generous sponsors, hard-working high school students, and dedicated secondary school and college officials who helped us achieve our mission, despite the challenges of 2020.

Benjamin Chang, a 1983 National Merit Scholar, shares his reasons for donating to NMSC.

All of us at National Merit Scholarship Corporation send our very best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for our sponsors, the hard-working high school students, and the dedicated high school and college officials, all of whom help us carry out our mission of recognizing and honoring the academically talented students of the United States. To our scholarship recipients, we thank you for using your skills and talents to contribute to society and make a positive impact on the country.

NMSC is excited to announce the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. The press release is available here, and additional information about the competition can be found in the 2020 Guide to the National Merit Scholarship Program.  The names of Semifinalists are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

First published in NMSC's 1995-96 Annual Report, the following quote comes from James R. Donnelley, Former Vice Chairman, R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company, who served on NMSC's Board of Directors from 1990 through 2015. Upon his election as Chairman of the NMSC Board of Directors in November 1995, Mr. Donnelley made the following observations:

Today’s announcement is the final National Merit Scholar release in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. NMSC named recipients of corporate-sponsored awards on April 22, winners of National Merit ® $2500 Scholarships on May 13, and the first group of college-sponsored award winners on June 3. There will be some additional individual Scholar releases throughout the summer. In this year’s competition, more than 7,600 academic champions have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

Today’s announcement of college-sponsored Merit Scholarship winners is the third National Merit Scholar release in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. NMSC named recipients of corporate-sponsored awards on April 22 and winners of National Merit ® $2500 Scholarships on May 13. Additional recipients of college-sponsored awards will be announced on July 13. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, about 7,600 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

Fox News Channel, LLC has recently announced the recipients of its first scholarship awards sponsored through the National Merit Scholarship Program. Featured in the video below are the winners of the 2020 Fox News / Dr. Charles Krauthammer Memorial Scholarship awards, Ami Carey and Michael Carey.

 

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the second group of scholarship winners in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The 2,500 National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 Finalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the first group of scholarship winners in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 1,000 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 160 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program and these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

To determine winners of the National Merit $2500 Scholarship awards, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) annually assembles a Selection Committee of high school guidance counselors and college admissions officers. The Selection Committee members work in teams to evaluate the applications of more than 15,000 National Merit Scholarship Program Finalists, and in the span of five days, they select 2,500 scholarship winners.

When the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Selection Committee convened at NMSC in January, several members took the time to speak about the importance of the National Merit Scholarship Program, provide insights and advice on the application process, and give their thoughts on how to effectively manage the stress that comes with the pursuit of rigorous academic studies.

Today, NMSC mailed instructions for completing the Online Scholarship Renewal Application to Scholars with renewable stipends. Online Scholarship Renewal Applications are due March 25, 2020. Please contact the Scholarship Administration department with any questions or concerns at (847) 866-5161.

The following originally appeared in NMSC's 1979-80 Annual Report

Lisbeth R. Gibson's major field of study is textiles engineering. Lockheed Leadership Fund, sponsor of this college junior's award, is one of 461 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations that currently support 58% of the awards that four classes of Merit Scholars are receiving; 223 college and university sponsors are providing awards for 40% of enrolled Scholars. Merit Scholars are now attending 695 U.S. higher education institutions and are pursuing a wide variety of career goals.

Today NMSC mailed Certificates of Merit to principals across the country, notifying them of the students who have advanced to Finalist standing in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. Letters to Finalists’ homes will be mailed on February 10. Over 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists named in September 2019 have met all requirements to advance to Finalist standing in the competition. All Finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2020.

Kaitlyn E. Przydzial is exploring possible majors in electrical engineering, computer science, and physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The recipient of a 2019 National Merit Mary E. Beyerle Scholarship, Kaitlyn admires female scientists, such as Sally Ride and Lisa Randall, who have made ground-breaking discoveries in their fields. “Having knowledge of women in STEM fields succeeding at such high levels allowed me to imagine myself also succeeding in those same fields,” she says.

All of us at National Merit Scholarship Corporation send our best wishes for an enjoyable and safe holiday season. This is an ideal time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and to express appreciation to family, friends, and others who have enabled our progress. We hope that the new year will bring opportunities and successes to the talented Scholars, generous sponsors, hard-working high school students, and dedicated secondary school and college officials who helped us achieve our mission in 2019.

All of us at National Merit Scholarship Corporation send our very best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for our sponsors, the hard-working high school students, and the dedicated high school and college officials, all of whom help us carry out our mission of honoring the academically talented students of the United States. To our scholarship recipients, we thank you for using your skills and talents to contribute to society and make a positive impact on the country. 

To date, over 15,000 Semifinalists have submitted their 2020 National Merit Scholarship Applications to NMSC using the Online Scholarship Application (OSA) portal. Ten thousand of those applications were submitted within a 48-hour period, and NMSC professional staff are hard at work processing and reviewing the incoming applications.

This month, approximately four million high school students will take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)! The 1.5 million students who meet program requirements will enter the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. For more information about entry requirements, program recognition, scholarships, and sponsors, please see the 2019 Student Guide.

Reminder: October 9 is the deadline for high school officials and homeschool endorsers to transmit their Semifinalists’ National Merit Scholarship Applications to NMSC. Those who need assistance using the NMSC Online Scholarship Application or who would like to request a deadline extension should contact Scholarship Administration at (847) 866-5162.

Congratulations to our @nationalmerit semifinalists from @wcsdistrict - you can read more about them at https://t.co/qvgqT2G5qN #ItsWorthIt pic.twitter.com/wTzN7A66Na

— Worthington Schools (@wcsdistrict) September 24, 2019

Congratulations to the 32 seniors named National Merit Scholar Semifinalists! #TrojanPride #WeAreWayzata #nationalmeritscholar #seniors #student pic.twitter.com/6HVeYb1TMw

— Wayzata High School (@WayzataHS) September 16, 2019

Congratulations to this year’s National Merit Semifinalists! #SPPride #SpainParkPride #SpainPark #HooverCitySchools #HooverAL #Alabama #HooverAlabama #HCSStrong pic.twitter.com/4WON0pG9RM

— Spain Park H.S. (@SpainPark) September 15, 2019

Strongsville High School announces Samantha Hepp & Dylan Hyun as National Merit Semifinalists for 2020. Congratulations, 🎉🎊! Thank you for proudly representing our schools and community. Role models for GBED!👍 pic.twitter.com/2pbXX7kShX

— Strongsville High (@HS_Strongsville) September 14, 2019

Hard work pays off! Super excited to have not one, not two, but 3 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists! Well done Bengals! @blythewood_sbo @BHSBengalNation @RichlandTwo @nationalmerit pic.twitter.com/ID9O1MiRUY

— Blythewood School Counseling (@BHS_Guidance) September 10, 2019

Congrats to our National Merit Scholarship semi finalist Owen Stephenson and his counselor Ms. Petrakis. Good luck the rest of the way Owen! pic.twitter.com/CTfQ2UJYBn

— Niles North HS (@NNVikings) September 10, 2019

#FAU Attracts Record Number of National Merit Scholars #FAUNews

➡️https://t.co/MVKDSviQuk pic.twitter.com/rC0Ag1aphJ

— FAU News Desk (@FAUNewsDesk) August 28, 2019

NMSC is excited to announce the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program. The names of Semifinalists are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

“Considering the rising cost of college tuition in the United States, it is now more crucial than ever that students receive financial assistance when pursuing higher education. The students of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and any support that we receive now will be paid back many times over in the future.”

Alexander D. Stoneman, 2019 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

“I truly believe that the academic excellence that NMSC encourages and the passionate students that NMSC funds contribute to a better global future. Contributing to NMSC is contributing to our next generation of leaders.”

Avery L. Mitchell, 2019 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

Pictured above, Brady K. Allen sits in the lead scanner position onboard a B-29 Superfortress flight as part of his internship duties with the Commemorative Air Force B-29/B-24 Squadron. A 2017 National Merit Texas A&M University Scholarship winner, Brady is pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering. He enjoyed the opportunity to “preserve and share pieces of living history” during the annual summer tour of one of only two surviving B-29 Superfortresses. “When I was not working to maintain the aircraft,” he says, “I was interacting with visitors and sharing the rich, vivid histories of the airplanes they had come to see. Over the course of the season, I spoke to thousands of people, all with their own stories. These stories had a great impact on me and have inspired me to pursue a career in military aviation.”

“This scholarship was the only way I was able to leave my home area and attend a prestigious private university. It allowed me to leave home and follow my dreams. It enabled me to find the rigorous challenges and opportunities that have made me the person that I am today.”

John A. Lowery, 1989 National Merit $2000 Scholarship

“If you can dream it, you can do it. You just need to find some guidance from helpful people along the way. That has been my experience, and I hope I can offer that kind of help to others.”

Teva P. Ilan, 2014 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

Today’s announcement is the final National Merit Scholar release in 2019 by National Merit Scholarship Corporation. NMSC named recipients of corporate-sponsored awards on April 17, winners of National Merit ® $2500 Scholarships on May 8, and the first group of college-sponsored award winners on June 5. In this year’s competition, more than 7,600 academic champions have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

NMSC is excited to announce Hunter Industries Incorporated as a new corporate sponsor. Beginning with the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program, Hunter Industries will provide awards for the children of company employees.

A family-owned company with a global reach, Hunter Industries prioritizes sustainability and energy efficiency in the creation of its irrigation, outdoor lighting, and custom manufacturing products. NMSC looks forward to partnering with Hunter Industries to accomplish our mission of recognizing and honoring the academically talented students of the United States.

“I had to pay my own way through college, and without a merit-based scholarship I could have never left my home state for an education, and I certainly could never have afforded an elite university. It changed my life, and my success at my undergraduate university is still one of the things of which I am most proud today.”

John A. Lowery, 1989 National Merit $2000 Scholarship

Today’s announcement is the third National Merit Scholar release in 2019 by National Merit Scholarship Corporation. NMSC named recipients of corporate-sponsored awards on April 17 and winners of National Merit ® $2500 Scholarships on May 8. Additional recipients of college-sponsored awards will be announced on July 15. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, about 7,600 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

The winner of a 1974 AMFAC, Inc. Merit Scholarship, Amy M. Sato received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and teaching from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, followed by a Master of Education from the University of Oregon. Amy experienced a career shift a few years later, and obtained a degree in nursing from Kapi'olani Community College in 1993. 

Springfield High School senior, Andrew Larpenter receives National Merit® Arkema Inc. Scholarship award! He is the son of Rodney Larpenter, employee of Arkema’s #StCharles plant, and Kelly Larpenter. Andrew will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering @LSU - Best of luck! pic.twitter.com/f6TbR7DfIb

— Arkema Inc. (@Arkema_Inc) May 2, 2019

Today, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) celebrates its 64th anniversary. Since 1955, NMSC has recognized and honored the academically talented students of the United States by conducting the National Merit Scholarship Program. Through its scholarship competitions, NMSC encourages brilliant students to pursue academic excellence at all levels of education, promotes a deeper respect for learning in general, and inspires organizations and individuals to support and invest in our nation’s outstanding scholastic talent.

The following story is from NMSC's 2010-11 Annual Report in its featured article "In Their Own Words."

For Zina R. Ellis, the accomplishment of being both a National Achievement Scholar and Honorary National Merit Scholar is more than just titles: it is a recognition of value. “To me, winning a National Achievement Scholarship is a literal interpretation of the idea of investing in youth. It’s an indication that someone thought I was worthy of this award and that I’ve been given the chance to make the most of it. Someone has put their trust in me, and now it’s my turn to prove them right....I hope that the things I do after winning a National Achievement Scholarship will show that I was a wise ‘investment’ that will go up in value and increase returns for more than just the people who put their trust in me.”

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the second group of scholarship winners in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The 2,500 National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 Finalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

From her beginnings as a self-styled “12-year-old freelance writer” to her enrollment in a speech writing class in grad school, Melissa A. Parnagian has been fascinated by words and the ways they can shape the story of America. Melissa’s passion for writing and belief in the ideals of America have led her to study public policy. “There’s so much America can do,” she says, to better people’s lives. A 2013 National Achievement $2500 Scholarship winner, Melissa is a graduate of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and is weeks away from receiving her Master of Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She has plans to cultivate a career “at the intersection of media, politics, and policy” in order to accomplish her goals of “amplifying voices that usually aren’t heard” and “giving people the best chance to succeed.”

“To potential sponsors: Change a life, fulfill a dream, build the future.”

Jarol Bruce Manheim, 1964 National Distillers Merit Scholarship

For Alexa C. Marcus, a combination of volunteer work and classroom experiences made it easy to declare a college major. The winner of a 2018 National Merit Vanderbilt University Scholarship, Alexa spent time volunteering as a teacher’s assistant for children with special needs at her local Jewish Community Center, and she served as an art instructor at a summer camp for underserved children run by the Achievement Centers for Children & Families. After taking multiple psychology and biology classes in high school, she was inspired to combine these subjects with her volunteer experiences, leading her to major in child development at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development.

“To the students who consider competing in the program, I'd say go for it! In the long run you have nothing to lose but everything to gain from competing in a program that can help you achieve your academic goals and prepare for a successful future. To the potential sponsors of the program, supporting the college education of a hard-working student is the ultimate investment. These students will become engineers, doctors, tech executives, and lawyers. They will not forget the generosity of those who supported them!”

Omeed Alerasool, 2011 National Merit BASF Corporation Scholarship

“The most important impact of a good education is the opening of one's mind to different ideas and the realization of just how many other right answers there are to a given question. More personally, I would never have even been aware of the opportunities and challenges I face if not for my education.”

Hussein E. Elbakri, 2011 National Achievement $2500 Scholarship

Q. Where are you attending college, and what do you plan to major in? Why did you choose this field of study?

A. I will be attending Carleton College, and I plan to major in mathematics or to enter a 3‐2 engineering program. I am interested in mathematics because it has such a wide variety of interesting applications and I am interested in engineering because I enjoy designing things.

Q. What have you recently read, experienced, or discovered about this field that excites you?

A. I recently read about a device called a Gravity Light that turns potential energy stored by lifting a weight into light as the weight slowly descends on a system of gears. This technology could be useful in the developing world, especially for students who need to study at night, and it has helped draw me to engineering.

Veronica Anne Velasquez studies medical sciences at the University of Cincinnati and is the recipient of a 2018 National Merit $2500 Scholarship underwritten by 3M Company. The daughter of two healthcare professionals, Veronica has looked to her parents for inspiration and advice regarding her academics. “‘Always do your best’ is a reminder my parents instilled in me as a child,” she says, explaining that her personal best manifested from taking challenging classes in high school. “I reached my goal excelling in all my classes, but,” she says, “I did not limit myself to academics, rather, I became a proactive member in the classroom, in student government, in mentoring and tutoring students, and helping my teachers as well.”

Thinking back on her high school tenure, Veronica shares her methods for managing the stress of a rigorous academic course load:

The following story is from NMSC's 2010-11 Annual Report in its featured article "In Their Own Words."

In high school, Christine L. Rovani pushed herself both in and out of the classroom, participating in orchestra, choir, competitive swimming, water polo, Girl Scouts, and Service Over Self Club. “Whether in academics, athletics, music, or volunteer work, I try to live life to the fullest and love every second of it. Since age 4, I have been playing violin and piano, and both are still a significant part of my life.” In her Scholarship Application essay, Christine wrote about achieving excellence in all aspects of her life by persevering in juggling her various passions and fighting her tendency to procrastinate. “In my quest for perfection, I have come to realize that sometimes I would rather delay doing something than do it less than perfectly.”

“I'll never forget the day the package from the NMSC arrived at my house—my parents couldn't wait to find out what it said, so there were balloons on the front door when I got home with a sign that read "CONGRATULATIONS!" From there, I knew that a completely new category of universities was available to me, including the one I ultimately chose. Going to an out-of-state school would have been unrealistic for me without the academic financial assistance I received, but because I was able to attend The University of Alabama and participate in the Honors College, a completely new world was opened up for me. A 'snowball effect' is the only way I can describe how receiving the National Merit distinction impacted my undergraduate years.”

Samuel N. Andersen, 2011 National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship

“Education is the ultimate poverty reduction strategy,” says Naomi J. Kellogg, a 2014 National Achievement– The PepsiCo Foundation, Inc. Scholarship winner. A recent graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, Naomi holds a bachelor’s degree in public affairs and majored in public and nonprofit management with a minor in education policy. She plans to use her degree to “reform the current education system in the United States” and “provide all students with a quality education that prepares them for success.”

Sharing the stories of NMSC Scholars is one of the key features in National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s recently released 2017-18 Annual Report. This report features interviews of four siblings who were all recognized in the National Merit Scholarship Program, several 2018 Scholars, and a number of Scholars who graduated in 2014. We hope you enjoy reading about these Scholars and look for their full interviews on NMSC's homepage at www.nationalmerit.org. 

NMSC is pleased to welcome Anixter Inc. as a new corporate sponsor beginning with the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. Anixter Inc. will provide awards for the children of company employees.

Q. Where are you attending college, and what do you plan to major in? Why did you choose this field of study?

A. I am attending Harvard University and plan to major in English and chemistry. These subjects pique my interest because a passion for language–from words to elements to numeric symbols–has largely defined my academic experience. The linguistics of English appeals to me as an outlet for creativity and forms of expression, and I have always fostered an appreciation for the power of words both in and out of the classroom. I catalog life through journal entries, express emotions through poetry, and channel my heart into prose beyond the essays or papers required for school. Song lyrics, satires, film analyses, fantasy, memoirs, melodies; writing, in any language, in any form, is exhilarating, influential, and above all, an opportunity to let my true voice shine. On the opposite end of the academic spectrum, chemistry is thrilling in a different way but similarly lends itself to creation and permutations found by combining the elements in the periodic table. Language, in any form, entices me due to its potential for imagination and innovation.

Growing up, Steven J. Cline believed that “education is the ticket to improving yourself and a key to success.” As a hard-working high school student, he received a 1984 Northwestern University Merit Scholarship, which led to his acceptance into a competitive writing program at Northwestern University, which was his first-choice college. “It meant everything to me at the time and has been hugely influential in my life,” Steven says, looking back on his National Merit recognition. “I would not have ended up at Northwestern without National Merit,” he explains. “My life would have been a lot less rich and a lot less successful.”

“Winning the scholarship was about more than myself; it was about everyone who has helped me get to where I am today.”

Georgia H. Shelton, 2010 National Merit $2500 Scholarship underwritten by OMNOVA Solutions Foundation, Inc.

NMSC is pleased to welcome Brown & Brown Inc. as a new corporate sponsor beginning with the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. Brown & Brown Inc. will provide awards for the children of company employees.

It is time for Scholars to renew their awards for the 2019-20 academic year. Earlier this month, NMSC mailed instructions for completing the Online Scholarship Renewal Application to Scholars with renewable stipends. Online Scholarship Renewal Applications are due March 20, 2019.

Every year, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) invites a Selection Committee of high school guidance counselors and college admissions officers to NMSC’s corporate office in Evanston, Illinois to choose the winners of the National Merit $2500 Scholarship awards. Working in teams, the Selection Committee members evaluate the applications of all 15,000 National Merit Scholarship Program Finalists in the span of five days. Several members of the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Selection Committee recently took the time to speak about their involvement with the National Merit Scholarship Program, offering insights and advice on the application process, the importance of scholarship programs, and the challenges that come with selecting the winners from the pool of truly brilliant and talented Finalists.

Congrats to Beechwood seniors Ellie Tierney, Joseph Paulson, and Jared Rowe! National Merit FINALISTS!! @beechwoodsup @beechwood_tiger pic.twitter.com/uQUwFYJg1N

— Beechwood Principal (@beechwoodhs) February 11, 2019

The following story is from NMSC's 2010-11 Annual Report in its featured article, "In Their Own Words."

In high school, Malcolm S. Squire did not make the cut for the varsity basketball team. He was given the option of staying on as a practice player, however. In his essay, Malcolm wrote about his decision to play out the season in this humble position, which taught him the value of hard work “even when the personal reward is not clear.”

The following photo is from NMSC’s 1965 Annual Report in its sponsorship section.

Q: Where are you attending college, and what do you plan to major in? Why did you choose this field of study?

A: I'm attending Loyola University of New Orleans as a theatre major. I chose theatre because it has been a constant happiness in my life since I was six years old. Nothing else makes me happier.

Q: What have you recently read, experienced, or discovered about this field that excites you?

A: I was recently in a professional production of Steel Magnolias in my area. Every evening I had rehearsal, nothing else mattered. The problems of the day melted away, and I was wholly focused on enjoying my time at the theater and fulfilling the role. This experience furthered my love of theatre and made me realize it was going to make me happy forever.

“Sponsoring scholarships is a win‐win for everybody involved! Students get valuable funding, NMSC gets to help students in need, and sponsors get to generate great publicity for themselves and pride in their ability to help educate the next generation of students who will go on to improve society.”

 

Isaac A. Mastalski, 2014 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

Today NMSC mailed Certificates of Merit to high school principals across the country, notifying them of which students have advanced to Finalist standing in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program.. Letters to Finalists’ homes will be mailed on February 11. About 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists named in September 2018 have met all requirements to advance to Finalist standing in the competition. All Finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2019.

The following photo is from NMSC’s 1965 Annual Report. Frank D. Stimley won a 1965 National Achievement Scholarship and attended Columbia University. 

 

After graduating from the West Virginia University with a degree in chemical engineering, Andrew J. Maloney began pursuing his PhD at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) starting in the fall of 2016. A National Merit $2500 Scholarship winner, Andrew had the opportunity to travel to China for a research internship at Jilin University to study the creation of photovoltaic cells in the aqueous stage. From there he traveled to Jamaica in 2014 for a service learning project, where he was immersed in Jamaican culture and cuisine. Andrew continued to travel in the summer of 2014 to Germany to complete a DAAD RISE Internship at the Fraunhofer Institute for Nondestructive Testing. His last trip took him back to China for the Grand Challenges for Engineering student summit, which allowed him to discuss the challenges facing our planet with other leading scientists and engineers. Of these experiences, Andrew says:

“Higher education fuels the great minds of tomorrow, and supporting higher education for the brightest minds at the forefront of discovery and progress makes you part of a brighter future.”

 

Fiona H. Weeks, 2010 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

With the start of a new year, NMSC is excited to welcome the high school graduating class of 2018 to the NMSC Scholar Community. Recipients of awards administered by NMSC are invited to create an account on the Scholar Community site and leave a Scholar Note describing educational, career, and community accomplishments.

Content for the Scholar Community is mostly created by its members; therefore, NMSC asked several recent college graduates what "community" means to them and what kinds of connections they hope to form with their fellow NMSC Scholars. The responses below paint a picture of the type of vibrant community NMSC has begun to foster through the Scholar Community site.

Nina Lester Finley was ready to embark on a three-month long research expedition to Madagascar when the trip’s principle investigator cancelled at the last minute. Alone, Nina planned trips to the remote rainforests to research lemurs, and she learned on-the-job skills that could not be taught in a classroom: how to efficiently draw blood samples from lemurs, navigate the rainforest by night, avoid armed bandits, and equip herself and her team with antibiotics and tools needed to guard against the pneumonic plague. Nina and her team of 15 collected the blood, fur, lice, and feces of 39 lemurs, using these findings to investigate the effect of deforestation on human health.

A 2012 National Merit Boeing Scholarship winner and Whitman College graduate, Nina has harbored a passion for biology and environmental science from a young age. Below, she describes the experiences and motivations she has had throughout her academic career so far.

Congratulations to senior Hannah Holliday, a Semifinalist in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Competition! #WeAreBishop #DOSP50 pic.twitter.com/v2DaG0YBge

— Bishop McLaughlin HS (@BMCHSCanes) September 12, 2018

Engineer, programmer, video game streamer, musician, and writer—these are a few terms that Amy Lin uses to describe herself. The winner of a 2014 National Merit Lockheed Martin Academic Scholarship, Amy aspires to add “role model” to this list. Amy recently graduated from Cornell University, where she majored in computer science with a minor in game design. She has utilized both her education and passion for video games to become a public face for women in the gaming industry. “It’s easier to discover people to look up to if they look like you,” she reasons, alluding to the need for diversity in the gaming and software development communities.

Congratulations to senior Jennifer Mitchell, who was recently announced as a Candidate in the competition for a Special Scholarship sponsored by the State Farm Companies Foundation to be awarded through the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program! #WeAreBishop 😊💙💛 pic.twitter.com/qRWma9WihQ

— Bishop McLaughlin HS (@BMCHSCanes) November 29, 2018

Angela M. Mannarino is the recipient of a 2001 James E. Casey Scholarship sponsored by The UPS Foundation. She attended the University of Michigan and earned a BA in psychology before pursuing a law degree at Wayne State University, where she graduated with a JD in 2008. After only four years of working at a law firm, Angela was made partner. Her cases primarily focus on employment discrimination. “A lot of what I do,” she says of her law career, “is explain to people what is available to them.”

Eshan A. Dabak received a National Merit Jerry R. Junkins Memorial Scholarship sponsored by Texas Instruments Incorporated in 2014. He went on to study economics and Asian cultures through the liberal arts honors program at the University of Texas at Austin. While in college, Eshan completed a summer internship in Mumbai, India working in transfer pricing at Deloitte, one of the largest accounting organizations in the world. He then spent the following summer at USAA in San Antonio as an actuarial intern. “While there were aspects of both experiences I enjoyed,” Eshan says, “I found that neither stimulated my unique interests. As a result, I decided my senior year of college to apply to graduate school for religious studies.”

All of us at National Merit Scholarship Corporation send our best wishes for an enjoyable and safe holiday season. This is an ideal time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and to express appreciation to family, friends, and others who have enabled our progress. We hope that the new year will bring opportunities and successes to the talented Scholars, generous sponsors, hard-working high school students, and dedicated secondary school and college officials who helped NMSC to achieve its mission in 2018.

As a sponsor of scholarships through NMSC’s programs for 64 years, PPG Foundation belongs to a celebrated group of organizations that have funded awards since the very first National Merit Scholarship Program in 1956.  PPG Foundation is financed by PPG, a global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials.  PPG has demonstrated a commitment to its surrounding communities and to the overall welfare of our country by taking an active interest in the education and careers of talented individuals, sharing NMSC’s belief that investing in today’s bright students is also an investment in the future.

“Thank you so much for helping sponsor individuals like myself! When you give to a scholarship, you are in a sense also giving to all those people whose lives are benefited by the scholarship recipient.”

 

Sirus J. Jesudasen, 2011 National Merit BP Foundation, Inc. Scholarship

The College Board has begun releasing 2018 PSAT/NMSQT Score Reports. Whether you view your Score Report online or on paper, be sure to review the NMSC section to confirm you accurately answered NMSC’s entry requirement questions. If you are eligible and your Selection Index score places you among the 50,000 high scorers who qualify for National Merit Scholarship Program recognition, you will be notified next September when qualifying Selection Index scores will be made available. NMSC will announce Semifinalists and Commended Students in September of 2019 based on Selection Index scores.

The following story is from NMSC’s 1965 Annual Report in its featured article: “The first Merit Scholars ten years later." 

After completing the Master of Arts in Teaching program at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and receiving her A.M.T. degree, Jane Crow Rutledge taught high school mathematics for four years in the Boston suburbs of Belmont and Arlington before “retiring” this year.

The 1956 Merit Scholar from Topeka, Kansas, reports on her teaching experience as follows: “While still an undergraduate, I was warned that teaching at the high school level would be stultifying, that my colleagues would be intellectually unstimulating, that my job would offer insufficient challenge ... I'm glad that I went ahead despite these warnings ... There are many moments of triumph, joy, and just plain fun. You don't teach just math—sometimes you teach language, sometimes study habits, sometimes self-confidence, and at all times, your philosophy of life. Any teacher will tell you that often his students learn from him things he never planned to teach and didn't realize he had taught-and that makes teaching a real challenge.”

This week National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) mailed reminders to Semifinalists who have yet to submit their official SAT Score Reports to NMSC. To progress to Finalist standing in the National Merit Scholarship Program, a Semifinalist must submit an SAT score that confirms his or her performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. For more information about this requirement, including deadlines for score submission, please review the Requirements and Instructions for Semifinalists document.

I'd like to publicly thank @HippoNationSupt @HuttoISD school board, our principal Mr. Christian for acknowledging my National Merit honor. The administration and teachers at Hutto HS provide a tremendous launching pad and I am grateful to all of you. #Grateful #AGTG #Hippo4Life pic.twitter.com/In1DbQSxXA

— Chase Griffin (@ChaseQB11) November 11, 2018

“There really isn't much that is more important,” Krista T. Goebel says, “than giving ambitious hard workers the opportunity to have experiences they cannot afford or experience on their own.” The winner of a 2014 National Merit Citizen Watch Scholarship, Krista graduated cum laude from Amherst College, where she majored in psychology and English.

“No one knows how truly valuable they can be until they educate themselves. I'm of the school of thought that no one can know what they are truly meant for unless they try as much as possible. This doesn't just apply in academics, but also in athletics and the arts and anything conceivable. I believe that by educating myself, I can find the best way to be of use to the people around me.”

 

Travis R. Brady, 2014 National Achievement $2500 Scholarship

We are excited to announce the launch of the NMSC online Donate button. This new feature of the NMSC website is a direct result of feedback from the Scholar Community about the importance of giving back and supporting the next generation of Scholars. To view more information about donations to NMSC click here or visit How to Give to see giving options. If you have any other questions, please contact Jeffrey Z. Little, Executive Vice President, at (847) 866-5118.

Q: What are your plans for college? Please tell us where you will attend and your intended college major.

A: I will be attending the University of Oklahoma to pursue a degree in chemical engineering and a minor in Spanish.

Q:Describe any extracurricular activities or study abroad opportunities in which you plan to participate.

A: I am excited to participate in the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band in the fall and plan to join a concert ensemble for the spring semester. I am also interested in joining the trombone choir and jazz band at the University of Oklahoma. I hope to study abroad in Spain for my sophomore or junior year to improve on my Spanish conversation ability. After enjoying volunteering through Key Club over the years, I am also looking for a community service organization to get involved with.

All of us at National Merit Scholarship Corporation send our very best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for our sponsors, the hard-working high school students, and the dedicated high school and college officials, all of whom help us carry out our mission of honoring the academically talented students of the United States. To our scholarship recipients, we thank you for using your skills and talents to contribute to society and make a positive impact on the country. 

The following story is from NMSC’s 1965 Annual Report in its featured article, “The first Merit Scholars ten years later." 

Diane Abramson was secretary to the Italian director of ABC Films, Inc., in Rome when her boss's job was offered to her. The firm is the foreign and domestic syndication of American Broadcasting Company-Paramount Theaters.

Her duties since she became Italian director in October 1963 include supplying ABC productions for showing on the Italian television network and screening and looking for Italian films to telecast in America.

Last week, the NMSC Advisory Council held its annual meeting to discuss the effectiveness of National Merit Scholarship Program policy and procedures. Composed of high school officials from across the country, the Advisory Council members serve as liaisons between NMSC and the educational community. We thank each member of the Council for taking the time to help NMSC uphold its uniquely high standards and effectively carry out its mission.

“I was most motivated throughout my entire scholastic experience by being a first‐generation American for whom family wealth would play almost no role in the process of paying for a college education,” says Safwan M. Chowdhury, the recipient of a 2018 National Merit University of Texas at Dallas Scholarship. “My older brother was actually chosen as a National Merit Finalist and scholarship recipient,” Safwan continues. “The pressure was on in the Chowdhury home, I'll tell you that.”

Q: Tell us the college you attended, the degree(s) you earned, and your major(s).

A: Columbia University, bachelor of science in civil engineering with a minor in French

Q: Please describe in detail any internships, co‐ops, or study abroad programs that enriched your college experience. How have these opportunities affected you and your career plans?

A: After my sophomore year of college I spent the summer as an intern at MTA Bridges and Tunnels, the organization which owns and operates seven of the bridges and two of the tunnels in the New York area. Interning here and seeing just how much the city depended on these facilities reinforced my decision to be involved with public infrastructure.

The following story is from NMSC’s 1965 Annual Report in its featured article: “The first Merit Scholars ten years later."

George P. Lawrence describes his duties as a staff physicist at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories in New Mexico as involving the "development of a polarized ion source; this includes design, experimental testing, etc. Also development of a direct extraction negative ion source for use in the H.B. terminal of the L.A.S.L. 9 Mev vertical Van de Graff." Lawrence arrived at Los Alamos last year after obtaining his Ph.D. in nuclear physics from the Australian National University in Canberra.

“I've been meeting a lot of fellow National Merit Scholars at the research program I'm attending right now at the University of Texas at Dallas. And what's really uplifting for me to see is how fundamentally similar we are…. we're all genuinely curious about learning. I was afraid about not being adequate enough or intelligent enough; yet, everyone here is, mainly, passionate about their studies. And that makes me happy, because that's what I love, too. So, for me, achieving National Merit was really affirming: not just as a culmination of academic achievement, but also as a sort of rounding out of who I am.”

 

Madison D. York, 2018 National Merit University of Texas at Dallas Scholarship

Anjana Murali received a National Merit $2500 Scholarship in 2014 and subsequently attended the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned degrees in anthropology and psychology. Now attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Anjana plans to become a pediatric endocrinologist and “conduct cutting-edge research on the treatment of obesity, and advocate for marginalized groups in the healthcare system.” As a student researcher, she studied the genetic component for obesity and also explored the social impacts of obesity and co-founded a nonprofit organization to combat racial, physical, and cyber bullying. “To date,” she says, “I have conducted 17 camps to help people feel more confident about their appearance.”

“I had a handful of really, really incredible teachers in high school, particularly math teachers, that encouraged me and pushed me to embrace my love of math and my talents. Hopefully, one day I will be able to make a fraction of that type of impact in my own classroom for the next generation of students. Teachers' influence cannot be limited to simply their subject; I know firsthand the difference a caring, fun, and genuine teacher can make on a student, and I want to pass that on.”

 

Lisa M. Kehe, 2015 National Merit St. Olaf College Scholarship

Page four from the NMSC side of the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide provides an overview of the steps in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. Students, counselors, and parents can find more information regarding entry requirements and program information on our website.

The following story is from NMSC’s 1965 Annual Report in its featured article, “The first Merit Scholars ten years later."

Harry Reasoner is employed by the law firm of Vinson, Elkins, Weems and Searls in Houston, Texas, where his work involves antitrust, Federal Power Commission, and general litigation. He has participated in one case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Community means that we are part of something much larger than ourselves….There are generations of NMSC award recipients who came before us and continued to inspire funding sources so that we could also receive the awards, and… there are generations of recipients coming after us that also deserve to benefit in the same way. Thus, we have a responsibility to make the most of what's been given to us, and to give back.”

 

Yanglu Chen, 2013 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

Congratulations to: (L-R) Aidan Sanchez, Brayden Jenkins, Dylan Franzen, Caleb Gooch have been named Commended Students in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program @GoKnightsHHS pic.twitter.com/0OAYIqAfPV

— Higley High School-College & Career (@HHCollegeCareer) September 26, 2018

National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) has recently received reports of fraudulent phone calls being made by callers posing as employees of NMSC who are contacting students/families attempting to sell test preparation products and requesting sensitive personally identifying information, such as credit card numbers. Please know that these calls are not originating from NMSC and should be reported to the FCC.

Please report these calls to the FCC by using this link

This type of activity, known as telemarketing fraud, is a crime. If you receive an unsolicited phone call from someone claiming to work for NMSC, even one that specifically identifies NMSC (or “National Merit Scholar”) on the caller I.D. (some of these callers engage in illegal "spoofing" to make it seem as if the call is coming directly from the organization), do not provide the caller with any personal information.

NMSC does not make unsolicited phone calls to students or families requesting this type of information. Representatives of NMSC only make calls to students and their families in response to student-generated inquiries and/or to follow up on materials related to a student’s participation in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Should you have a question about the origin of a phone call you have received in which the caller claims to be from NMSC, please contact us immediately at (847) 866-5100.

RCCSS would like to recognize Katherine Achbach, Gabrielle Prill, and Casey Ballard as National Merit Semifinalists. These academically talented seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million pic.twitter.com/8eU6OpybVq

— RC Catholic Schools (@rccss) September 26, 2018

This month, approximately four million high school students will take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)! The 1.6 million students who meet program requirements will enter the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.  For more information about entry requirements, program recognition, scholarships, and sponsors, please see the 2018 Student Guide.

Congratulations to our National Merit Commended students! We are proud of you: Aria, Maisy, Safiyah, Lily, Katie, Aiden, Ethan, Ethan, Michael, Nick, and Nick!!!! #buildingBasha #smartkids @bashabearnation @ChandlerUnified #CUSDStory pic.twitter.com/H0TvPHHwEO

— David Loutzenheiser (@bhs_loutz) September 25, 2018

Reminder: October 10 is the deadline for high school officials and homeschool endorsers to transmit their Semifinalists’ National Merit Scholarship Applications to NMSC. Those who need assistance using the NMSC Online Scholarship Application or who would like to request a deadline extension should contact Scholarship Administration at (847) 866-5162.

Chinese, exoplanets, genetics, music... Our @TCWTitans 2018 National Merit Semifinalists have a wide variety of interests. #TitansRising pic.twitter.com/oxycnTIYu4

— Alexandria City Public Schools (@ACPSk12) September 21, 2018

An article written about the students can be found here: http://www.acpsk12.org/news/?p=10290)

Congratulations to Lisle’s 7 #NationalMerit Commended Students and 1 National Merit SemiFinalist. We are very proud of you: @JulianMorgen @trevorhaen @patthornton29 @echudov @jamiekaiser13 @MRKaiser11 Emily Mao and @ian_narot #lisleonepride pic.twitter.com/XXI0cgrmVj

— Jeff Howard (@1PridePrincipal) September 20, 2018

PLHS congratulates senior Paolo Miyashiro on earning the prestigious recognition as National Merit Commended Student. Great job Paolo. We are very proud of you and your achievement. pic.twitter.com/N9zVfukT76

— Pompton Lakes HS (@PomptonLakesHS) September 20, 2018

Congratulations to these National Merit Commended students. They make us proud in so many ways! #ClockerPride pic.twitter.com/0LFZS4A8An

— Kelley St Coeur (@Kstcoeur) September 20, 2018

PLHS congratulates senior Luke Calamita on earning the prestigious recognition as National Merit Semifinalist. Outstanding job Luke. We are very proud of you and your achievement. pic.twitter.com/XPFHxPSuZ4

— Pompton Lakes HS (@PomptonLakesHS) September 12, 2018

16 of our FAU High School students were named National Merit Scholarship Competition semifinalists and we are extremely proud of their hard work and dedication! Semifinalists represent less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. Congratulations to all of you! @bees_sherry pic.twitter.com/3QgVxMC7VC

— ADHUS & FAU HS (@ADHUS_FAUHS) September 12, 2018

Congratulations to Grayslake Central’s National Merit Semi-finalist and Commended students! Great work! #ramslife @Grayslake_Rams pic.twitter.com/VM93bXHkGB

— Dan Landry (@DanLandryGL) September 14, 2018

Congratulations to Ryan Faulkner who has qualified as a Semifinalist in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program! pic.twitter.com/2setNRIWFa

— WFHS College/Career (@wfcollegeready) September 12, 2018

We want to extend a huge congratulations to our eight National Merit Semifinalists. This is the highest number of semifinalists Revere has had in recent memory.

They are: Victoria Liu, Sydney Padgett, Tiger Du, Kyle Shin, Aayush Bansal, Karl Godard, John Krew and William Sun. pic.twitter.com/EsGwFZLZKK

— Revere Schools (@RevereLocal) September 12, 2018

Congratulations to our 2019 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists: Cal Nightingale, Lorenzo Shaikewitz, and Esme Wheeler. We are proud of you! @DurhamPublicSch @pmubenga pic.twitter.com/YVsS8Wevx9

— Jordan High School (@JHSFalcons) September 12, 2018

The following story is from NMSC’s 1965 Annual Report in its featured article, “The first Merit Scholars ten years later."

In December 1955, Carolyn Dempsey Mitchell wrote an accurate prophecy on her Merit Scholarship application form: "I hope to be a college instructor in ten years ... I hope to have a family, but I also plan on using my college training throughout life in a direct way such as teaching. I feel that a family and career can be combined to the benefit and enrichment of both."

“Receiving the National Merit Scholarship was a recognition of all the hard work I put into my studies in high school, along with my dedication to service and extracurricular activities. To be a part of such an accomplished group like the NMSC community and as the only National Merit Scholar in my high school graduating class, I am very humbled to be acknowledged in this way.”

 

Connor C. Ott, 2017 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

In its 1961 Annual Report, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) investigated which qualities set National Merit Scholars apart from their high school peers. As with today’s National Merit Scholarship Program, the 1961 Selection Committee looked for something beyond academic excellence when choosing award winners. The Report states: NMSC "tries to reserve its awards for those who also have some other special quality–whether it be creativity, determination, dedication to a chosen goal, or resilience to misfortune.”

NMSC is excited to announce the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship^® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar^® title. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program. The names of Semifinalists are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

“NMSC helps students pursue their dreams financially and encourages students to strive to their full potential. Help them do this, because the world needs people who reach their full potential!”

 

Nathaniel R. Michener, 2012 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

“It is an honor to be part of this diverse and talented community. The fact that this award was given based off of more than scores alone instills a greater sense of confidence and responsibility within me. Knowing that my academics and extracurricular experiences are being recognized through this award urges me to continue to strive for improvement in my various endeavors.”

 

Urvi Gupta, 2017 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

“The National Merit Scholarship is a phenomenal program and does a great job highlighting the achievements of not only exemplary students, but exemplary people-in-training. Your support can help turn them into exemplary people who can change and improve the world.”

 

Ryan P. Arata, 2012 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

Welcome to the new 2018 National Merit Scholars!!! Thank you and your families for joining us for lunch as you enter the next phase of your stellar academic careers at FAU!!! pic.twitter.com/JikjQ96aCs

— Dr. John Kelly (@FAUpresident) August 15, 2018

After graduating from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a bachelor of science in computer science and engineering, Sami T. Alsheikh decided to continue his education at MIT in pursuit of a master's of engineering in computer science. The recipient of a 2012 National Merit $2500 Scholarship, Sami was recently asked to describe any internships or co-ops that had an impact on his college education:  

“For me, this award is encouragement and support in doing something good with my life,” Noah M. McNally says of his 2017 National Merit Texas A&M University Scholarship. Now a rising sophomore at Texas A&M, Noah is majoring in molecular and cellular biology. He intends to eventually apply to medical school and hopes “to conduct research in the fields of neuroscience and immunology and discover even the smallest piece of information that would help the progress of medicine today.”

When speaking about his goals for the future, Noah asserts: “I'm not the kind of person to try and make large scale impacts; I focus more on impacting individuals, and if each day of my studies I can help to better someone's life, whether that be by giving a listening ear or by volunteering to help build a house, I will be more than happy with the impact I've made.”  

Noah spent much of his free-time in high school trying to make a positive impact within his community. “I got involved with volunteer service in my small town because my bike was stolen,” he explains. Two young boys were caught riding Noah’s stolen bike, and after talking with them, Noah learned that the boys were in the local summer feeding program. “I found out about the feeding program,” Noah says, “and decided to volunteer at it. It taught me a great deal about the importance of one-to-one interaction with children who need encouragement and direction. For me, it wasn't just about feeding them food; it was about feeding them friendship, and I spent much of my time just sitting down and talking with the young boys.”

Throughout his educational pursuits and into his career, Noah plans to continue volunteering in his community, and feels inspired to do so because of his National Merit recognition. “By being a part of this community,” he says, “I know that I have potential not only to do great things with my life, but also to lead others to do the same.”

Dr. Vivek Balasubramaniam is pictured climbing to the tops of Grays Peak and Torreys Peak in Colorado, “literally, conquering a mountain.”  The 1987 University of California, Los Angeles Merit Scholarship winner and Pittsburgh Medical School graduate harbors a “love of nature and fascination with understanding nature,” apparent in his various outdoor pursuits. Vivek enjoys hiking, camping, and skiing, when he is not seeing patients or working on biomedical research. “My greatest hobby,” Vivek says, “is participating in the sporting activities of my kids as a volunteer coach for baseball, basketball, and water polo. I have had the pleasure of watching children work through their challenges and celebrate their successes. This has taught me that resilience is something we all have, and it is important to nurture it and watch it blossom.”

On a similar note, Vivek has enjoyed nurturing the intellectual curiosities of the students and recent graduates who work in his research lab. “I have watched and admired the intelligence, work ethic, and love of science and pure fun that each generation enjoys,” Vivek explains, adding: “This experience continues to push me to keep moving forward, despite the challenges, because the opportunity to participate in a person’s education is a rare privilege and should be enjoyed.”  

Along with acting as a coach and mentor to younger generations, Vivek is committed to using his talents to benefit children on a larger scale through his advocacy work with the Society for Pediatric Research. Vivek defines the concept of community as “the people that I can reach out to” in order to solve problems and improve “the lives of those not as fortunate as ourselves.”  He notes that communities exist to help people “support and elevate each other,” and his own friends, mentors, and colleagues have given him “inspiration to do better and to be a better person that will,” he says, “help lift all of us higher," just like conquering a mountain. 

“Being named an official National Merit Scholar goes beyond that one test. It means that my intelligence, my personality, my dedication, and everything I have put myself towards in high school have been taken into account, and people want to reward me for that. This is a strange idea to me, but I am incredibly honored at receiving it, especially considering the other contenders. There are amazing people within my community that I look up to and expect great things from. I have peers that I think of as incredible, accomplished people with bright futures. Receiving this award makes me believe that there are people out there who view me the same way, even people that I've never met who believe in me enough to want to recognize my accomplishments and contribute to my future.”

 

Alexander D. O’Brien, 2015 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

A University of South Carolina graduate and a 2013 National Merit George Watts Hill Scholarship winner, Melaina K. Dyck was an environmental science major. Melaina now attends Yale University and will graduate in 2019 with a master's degree in environmental science. During her sophomore year at South Carolina, she worked to restore wetlands and ecosystem services in southern Iraq. She described her experience by saying: "I learned about millennial-scale sustainability, ecosystem service approach to environmental management, the importance of international research networks, and how to be a leader among my peers in research situations."  When asked why she chose to pursue her major, Melaina explains: 

"Sustainable, effective and inclusive management of the environment is the single greatest challenge humans face in the 21st century. I chose the field of environmental science because it is inherently interdisciplinary--requiring input from biology, chemistry, engineering, anthropology, economics, and political science, among other disciplines. Environmental management solutions must take into consideration the knowledge and needs of local communities, and assume bottom-up approaches to conservation and policy. My goal is to work with marginalized communities most at risk from the impacts of environmental degradation to develop sustainable, community-based natural resource management....I hope to bring in stakeholders from many disciplines to create solutions to environmental problems together."

The winner of a 1970 Reader’s Digest Merit Scholarship, Sue G. Talley received her bachelor’s degree in English and psychology with a minor in education from Macalester College. Sue’s undergraduate experiences led her to value “flexibility, change, diversity, and international understanding,” and she became inspired to “improve how kids learned throughout the world.” 

In the following years, Sue worked at Apple Computer, where her goal was “to make computers a standard part of K-12 schools and for learning at home.” Sue later helped pioneer the Doctor of Education in Learning Technologies program at Pepperdine University, where she eventually earned her MA and EdD. Sue’s educational and professional pursuits led her to the realization that “more teachers needed to know both the theory and the practice behind the use of technology as part of learning.” As an Associate Dean at Capella University, Sue strived to develop and refine online programs at all degree levels, maintaining her conviction that “nothing impacts the future of society more than education.” Now in retirement, Sue has been active in the American Association of University Women and the P.E.O. Sisterhood, both of which provide educational opportunities to women.

“It is always a community that enables change to occur,” Sue says, looking back on her accomplishments in the field of education. “Throughout my time at Apple, I met inspiring educators around the world who found new and exciting ways to integrate technology into education and learning. When I entered higher education, it was exciting to become a member of more communities, through research and professional associations. Throughout my career it was the people I met who really strengthened my resolve to contribute as I did.”

“Being selected as a National Merit Scholar is an incredibly high distinction. I am so honored and appreciative that the National Merit program judged my academic and extracurricular record to be qualified enough for the award. Winning the same award as some of the most accomplished and admired Nobel winners, public servants, and entrepreneurs is a distinction I can only hope to do justice to. I will do my best to continue a record of success and excellence in college and in life beyond.”

 

Alan Xu, 2016 National Merit Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Scholarship

Angela Diette earned a degree in English from the University of Dayton with the help of a 1988 University of Dayton Merit Scholarship. After graduating, she secured a position at a small publishing house.“It was such a small place,” Angela recalls, “that when the bookkeeper left, they offered me the position.” Angela realized that if she were to professionally pursue accounting, she would need additional training, so she began working toward a master’s degree in accounting at Northeastern University, graduating in 1997.

“It might seem strange,” Angela says of her career path, “that an English major ended up as a CPA, but it has been a good fit for me.” She describes herself as “detail oriented” and as someone who likes to solve problems—“Now they just happen to be business issues,” she says. Currently, Angela works for a large, multi-national corporation and focuses on intercompany accounting. She manages a team of six people and has become “a ‘go to’ person when it comes to offering guidance” on the complexities of intercompany transactions.

Looking back on her educational accomplishments, Angela says: “I'm proud of graduating summa cum laude from college, but I'm also proud that I was willing to ask myself hard questions about what I wanted to do long-term.” She believes that it is important for students to “always be open to new ideas” because “there is always something to learn.”

Receiving a 1992 National Merit $2000 Scholarship “was probably the greatest moment of my life at that point,” says Brian S. Martinez, recalling the benefits of receiving an award through NMSC.  “It opened doors for me at the college level,” he continues. “People were willing to give me chances I wouldn't have ordinarily have gotten. My university recognized the prestige of the scholarship and boosted it, freeing me up to focus on studying instead of work.”

In 1996, Brian graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and began his teaching career shortly thereafter. One of Brian’s most valued accomplishments is the success that his students have achieved. “I have students who have worked in the journalism field, some who have begun their own business and some who work in high levels of government and public relations,” he says. “There's nothing that makes me more proud than to see that I was able to help them succeed—and NMSC helped me do that.”

As a Scholar and educator, Brian is “able to understand the process of a high school student striving for success” and has the following advice for students who will soon be competing in the National Merit Program: “I would tell students to just relax and do their best. It may sound overly simplistic or naive, but it's honestly the best you can do. Be you. Learn as much as you can, absorb every minute, engage in what's around you and your success will shine.”

Similarly, Brian advises corporations, foundations, and colleges that are considering becoming sponsors of NMSC scholarships to “invest in the brightest. You will never get a greater return on anything than you will on people. Putting tangible support behind students who deserve it means you're affecting an entire generation. That person you helped may find a cure, a new way to travel, or something we can't even fathom yet. You are literally endorsing the future.”

Today’s announcement is the final National Merit Scholar release in 2018 by National Merit Scholarship Corporation. NMSC named recipients of corporate-sponsored awards on April 18, winners of National Merit ® $2500 Scholarships on May 9, and the first group of college-sponsored award winners on June 6. In this year’s competition, about 7,500 academic champions have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

Congratulations to this year's CACI scholarship recipients! In partnership with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, we support #STEM education through our scholarship program. We can't wait to see all the great things this next generation of leaders will accomplish! pic.twitter.com/D8p9BhtEZN

— CACI International (@CACIIntl) June 12, 2018

“I have been blessed with two children and many opportunities to travel and see our beautiful country with them,” says James R. Ambrose, winner of a 1983 Parker Hannifin Merit Scholarship. “The best kind of trips,” he says, “are those with a loose itinerary that allows for exploration.” James has learned the importance of exploring different options in both his academic and professional careers.  After his college experiences got off to a rocky start—“I did not have good study habits,” he explains—James transferred to the Ohio State University and earned a degree in electrical engineering.

 

“I am so thankful for this award because the financial freedom this scholarship grants me allows me to have more choices regarding what I want to study in college and what I want to do later in life. Thanks to the National Merit Scholarship, I'll be able to finish my undergraduate degrees completely debt-free, which is an amazing feeling. I'm so thankful for awards like NMSC’s scholarships that allow students to go to colleges they wouldn't normally be financially able to attend without taking on serious debt.”

 

Aidan H. Lakshman, 2016 National Merit PPG Industries Foundation Scholarship

A first-generation American and winner of a 2008 National Achievement $2500 Scholarship, Maseray S. Kamara grew up knowing that “education is power.” Maseray’s parents, originally from Sierra Leone, often advised her to work hard at her studies. “If you get an education,” they would say, “that’s something that nobody can take away from you.” Receiving recognition from NMSC for her academic potential confirmed for Maseray that “when you do work hard, there are people willing to believe in you and invest in you.”

“Your support could change a student's life. College has become incredibly expensive, and no scholarship is too small. Even if you can't sponsor many students… any sort of financial support eases the burden. These students have worked incredibly hard. Don't let their work go unnoticed.”

 

Olivia A. Johnson, 2016 National Merit University of Minnesota Scholarship

In 1962, Wilfried Kaffenberger won a Charles F. Kettering Foundation Merit Scholarship and graduated from Princeton University in 1966 with a BSE in Chemical Engineering. This scholarship changed his life and allowed him to receive his Ivy League education. He explains, "My family had no money. Financing my education was up to me. I had saved money in high school working weekends, and before and after school, delivering newspapers. But an Ivy League education was beyond reach until the letter from NMSC. The scholarship, funded by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, paid for all four years at Princeton." 

NMSC recently asked Wilfried what advice he would give to students who will soon be entering the competition and what he would tell corporations who are considering sponsoring students: 

"To students -- Teach yourself what is required to achieve your dreams and commit yourself to make the effort required to achieve them. If you are blessed with ability, don't waste it. It's not enough without motivation and effort. To sponsors -- your dollars empower young people with exceptional promise to take the steps needed to turn promise into reality. Their future contributions to society will help build a better world for us all."

 

“I can't stress enough how a National Merit Scholarship opens doors and opportunities to everyone who qualifies. The recipient can be a no-name person from a no-name town in a no-name state. It levels the playing fields of America.”

 

Anne E. Sherve-Ose, 1971 Thomas J. Watson Memorial Merit Scholarship of the International Business Machines Corporation

“When I first sat down to take the PSAT/NMSQT,” Akiera Davis says, “I had no idea the impact that it would have on my future. I thought ‘this is just pre-practice for the real thing, no biggy,’ and it ended up changing my life!” A 2015 National Achievement $2500 Scholarship winner, Akiera is studying integrated marketing and communications at Winthrop University and is set to graduate next spring.

Of her NMSC recognition, Akiera says: “Being named a National Achievement Scholar changed my entire world. Not only did I receive a generous one-time scholarship from NMSC, but I received a full ride scholarship from my university because of my status as a National Achievement Scholar.” Akiera has made the most of her college experience by completing marketing internships at various organizations, from Siemens PLM Software to the Department of Extended Education and Summer School at Winthrop University. These positions have helped Akiera “to better understand the field of marketing” and gain “valuable experience that can be applied to future positions,” and, eventually, to her own business.

Akiera has advice to give to students who are planning to participate in NMSC’s scholarship programs, based on her personal experiences. “Take the PSAT/NMSQT very seriously,” she imparts, “and make sure that you follow the NMSC process to a T. Get acquainted with your college counselors and principal, since they will write the recommendation letter if you are named a Semifinalist. Find out if your school of choice offers additional funding to National Merit Scholars….this is an amazing opportunity.”   

A junior biological sciences major at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Anna H. Liu believes that people in a community should “work together to improve both themselves and the environments around them.” Anna, a 2015 State Farm Foundation Scholarship winner, has spent her time at UIC exploring various community service activities and learning “how meaningful it is to give back.”

Anna is a founding member of the UIC branch of Kids Are Scientists Too (KAST), “a nonprofit organization that goes to local elementary schools to get kids interested in all things related to science.” She is also a member of UIC’s Society of Future physicians and works as a Senior Health Educator for the Peer Health Exchange, which “teaches underfunded high school freshmen health education.” Of her involvement with these organizations, Anna says: “I have had the opportunity to teach and interact with students from diverse backgrounds. These experiences have taught me to better appreciate my abilities and the resources I am surrounded with. By being involved in many organizations, my time management skills have improved, ensuring that I keep up with my academics as well as extracurricular activities.” 

For the past two years, Anna has conducted research in neuropathy, and she is currently writing her senior thesis based on her findings. “Though school and activities can seem overwhelming at times,” she says, “hard work allows us to persevere and achieve our goals.” She recommends that students soon to be competing in the National Merit Scholarship Program continue to work hard and be “passionate about whatever it is you decide to pursue. I believe that when we do something we love, it shows to others and we can improve our skills.”

“With the ever-increasing cost of college, monetary support for college education is a wonderful and exciting gift for a young person's future. The sponsors of NMSC are to be applauded for caring about our generation and for being willing to donate for our personal growth. Thank you!”

 

Andriy I. Proctor, 2016 Macy’s, Inc. Scholarship

Say hello to our 3 only National Merit Scholarship Winners all coming from @kinghswolves !!! Susan, Esther, and Audrey our the few of approximately 7,500 students in the nation to win this honor! Each scholarship is $2,500 and they will be using it for their collegiate endeavors! pic.twitter.com/GZTvzudGZu

— Riverside Unified (@RUSDLink) May 31, 2018

“To students, I would say to persevere. College applications and scholarship searches are trying times, and I remember many a day when I wished it could all just end – but looking back on it, the trials were over in a heartbeat but the honor and opportunities you win during those brief months are long-lasting. To potential sponsors, I would say that this scholarship is more than just a financial relief but also a great honor and a mark of respect.”

 

Andrew Wells, 2016 National Merit University of Chicago Scholarship

Today’s announcement is the third National Merit Scholar release in 2018 by National Merit Scholarship Corporation. NMSC named recipients of corporate-sponsored awards on April 18 and winners of National Merit ^® $2500 Scholarships on May 9. Additional recipients of college-sponsored awards will be announced on July 16. By the conclusion of this year’s competition, about 7,500 academic champions will have won National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

When recalling her undergraduate studies, Dr. Donna Esposito describes how grateful she is for the opportunities she had to “interact with lots of different types of majors” and with different groups of people outside of her own field of study. The recipient of a 1990 Lehigh University Merit Scholarship, Donna received a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology with a minor in anthropology and later attended Cornell University on a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Predoctoral Fellowship, receiving her PhD in 2000.

Donna believes that her liberal arts education was “a foundation for everything,” and opened the door for her to develop interests in writing and history as well as the sciences. At first, she says, “I didn’t see a way to blend it all together” to form a career, so she completed post-doctoral work at the New York State Department of Health and then ran a DNA testing laboratory for Charles River Laboratories. During this time, Donna noticed the absence of a creative outlet in her life, and she decided to start writing for fun. “I’ve always loved writing,” she says. “If I have a problem, I like to write about it and that helps solve it.” Donna combined her love of writing and passion for World War II history and began working on a historical fiction novel. When her DNA testing job ended, Donna dedicated herself to completing her novel, Flying Time, which was published in 2016. She also began working at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in New York where she has continued her research as director of the library and archives. Looking back on her career change, Donna says: “I didn’t want to go back to what I was doing. I have many other interests….It took a lot for me to admit that I wasn’t going to be a biologist anymore, but I’ve never been happier.”

“One of the things that always amazed me about World War II,” Donna explains about her preferred area of research, “is that it’s such a vast time in history and everyone has a different experience of it.” She views any effort to bring this era to life as a worthwhile endeavor and conveys a sense of urgency when she says, “we have stories to tell before it’s too late.” Donna has further explored her interest in World War II history by working with Pacific Wrecks, a nonprofit that aims to preserve and promote the memory of World War II veterans and also help discover the remains of soldiers who died in war zones around the world. “I can see the impact of the historical research and writing I’ve been doing, she says, and adds: “Now that we’re losing the greatest generation, I think people are really starting to value the efforts people like me are doing.”

Donna draws from her college and career experiences when asked what advice she has for academically inclined students. “Branching out is really crucial,” she says and notes that, among other things, a strong background in both the arts and sciences is key to becoming a “participating citizen” today. “Everybody has different interests,” Donna explains, “but we tend to get pushed one way or another….Ultimately, don’t discard any career possibilities you’re interested in, even if they seem remote.”

“My advice for students would be to start growing your vocabulary and working on practice tests at least a year before taking the test. I started studying and taking practice tests when I was in eighth or ninth grade, and I would totally recommend that to anyone who is looking to be a National Merit Scholar! Also, don't be afraid of taking a prep class! Study books are great, but having someone you can ask questions to and other students you can relate to can be incredibly helpful.”

 

Kristen A. Reed, 2004 Jerry R. Junkins Memorial Merit Scholarship

Today, National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) celebrates its “birthday” since being established in 1955. Over the past 63 years, NMSC's mission has remained constant: to recognize and honor the academically talented students of the United States. NMSC accomplishes its goals by conducting the National Merit Scholarship Program and encouraging brilliant students to pursue a college education, to promote a deeper respect for learning in general, and to inspire businesses and other organizations to support and invest in higher education.

In NMSC's first year of operation, 565 students were granted scholarships totaling approximately $1.4 million. With the completion of the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program, about 8,600 students will receive scholarships worth $41 million in total. NMSC is proud to have recognized the outstanding achievements of Scholars from each competition year and considers each Scholar to be an essential part of NMSC's rich history and legacy. We look forward to continuing our efforts to shine a spotlight on academically talented students through partnerships with our generous sponsors and with the help of dedicated secondary school and college officials who have made NMSC's mission possible for the past 63 years.

Aditya P. Desai chose biomedical engineering as his major because it combined his desire to help people and think critically to solve problems. A 2016 National Merit Purdue University Scholarship winner, Aditya explains why he volunteers and how playing musical instruments helps relieve his stress:

"I spend a great deal of my time volunteering in the Emergency Department at Hancock Regional Hospital. It is an environment where I often interact with patients battling severe pain and suffering. I make it my personal mission to comfort them to the best of my abilities. Sometimes, a simple act of providing them a warm blanket brings them comfort. Other times, distracting them to take their mind off their pain, such as reading stories to children, does the magic. I even work 'behind the scenes' such as by cleaning the rooms to ensure a healthy environment or helping the staff process patients. Regardless of what task I have helped to accomplish on a given day, volunteering at the hospital provides a great sense of fulfillment. This opportunity has also allowed me to connect with professionals in the medical field and develop a sense of what it is like to be a physician, since I aspire to become one myself. Most importantly, it is extremely satisfying to see the patients leave with a smile and a 'thank you' for transforming their day from miserable to better. Outside of community service, I consider music a true passion of mine. I began violin lessons when I was eleven years old and soon joined the school orchestra. I found that playing the violin not only taught me values such as discipline and practice but also functioned as a stress reliever. While taking violin lessons I also began guitar lessons, beginning with the electric guitar. Since then, I have transitioned to acoustic guitar learning various styles from classical to flamenco as well as numerous genres of music. Music has proven to be such an effective stress reliever for me that I play guitar every night before going to bed."

The winner of a 2017 National Merit Texas A&M University Scholarship, Marta R. Pulfer is pictured with her cow, Mazy, on the dairy farm her family owns. While in high school, Marta was involved in the 4-H club, named captain of the cross country team, and served as the Nebraska Dairy Princess. “These activities,” Marta says, “have taught me the importance of giving back to the community that raised me.” Specifically, being appointed Nebraska Dairy Princess provided Marta with “the opportunity to advocate for the dairy community at various events and help the public better understand how their food made it to their table.”

Now, Marta is completing her freshman year at Texas A&M University and has chosen to major in biomedical engineering, with the intent of pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. “Engineering offered me the greatest ability to combine my interests in math and science,” she explains, “but I also want to work with animals, as I have done the majority of my life, so I looked into biomedical engineering to integrate all of these factors.” Marta’s career goals are clear: “I want to help bring cutting-edge medical advances to production in animal medicine, especially in dairy cattle,” she says, and “to continue the effort to make the safest animal products as efficiently as possible.”

While in college, Marta plans to join engineering clubs and organizations related to agriculture and animal science, along with volunteering in her new community. “I am grateful to have reached this point with the help of a network of people, and I am excited to join yet another network of amazing people,” she says of her National Merit recognition and the opportunities that have been made available to her.

“The National Merit Scholarship Program can change lives. It changed mine. Potential sponsors of the program should consider their ability to bring tomorrow's thinkers, leaders, and problem solvers to the forefront of excellence in education with their gift of scholarship money. I would also ask those same potential donors what a recipient of a scholarship award might mean for you or your company personally. Could your organization use an intelligent, highly motivated, and grateful college graduate with a bright future in your organization? If the answer is yes, then go out and create that person with a National Merit Scholarship. Give somebody the gift of possibility, because possibility is what the National Merit Scholarship Program delivers. It might help you, too.”

 

Alison M. Vogt, 1981 SCM Corporation Merit Scholarship

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Corey M. Baron graduated summa cum laude from Colorado College, where she majored in philosophy with a minor in Spanish language and literature. Among the most important aspects of her education was“developing a personal philosophy and set of core values….Having this authentic true north,” she explains, “that captures my current understanding of the meaning of life has already been invaluable as I transition into new environments.”

A 2013 National Merit $2500 Scholarship winner, Corey explored many new environments in college by participating in a variety of extracurricular activities. She enjoyed spending “time on an organic farm; working with Green America's Better Paper Project to promote the use of recycled paper; studying abroad in Europe, Canada, and Peru; and working for the Boettcher Foundation in Denver, Colorado. These experiences inspired an interest in philanthropy, particularly in the state of Colorado, with a particular focus on trying to increase philanthropic activity in rural areas.”

Now, Corey is halfway through a two-year fellowship at the El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs, a program that is “focused on professional and leadership development in the specific context of philanthropy and nonprofits.” Corey says: “I plan to continue in this industry but am still very much exploring.” Of her overall career goals, Corey hopes "to work for organizations with a value-driven mission, and to move toward positions of leadership in those organizations.” The ambiguity of the transition from college to career is something that Corey embraces. “I hope to do my best to contribute to a compassionate world,” she says, “but understand that that may take many forms professionally and personally.”

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the second group of scholarship winners in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The 2,500 National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 Finalists in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. The release is made available here to provide information about these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

“My professional life has involved traveling to, and working in, dozens of countries. That meant working with people from many cultural, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. This experience teaches that, at the core, all people have simple, worthwhile values in common. They cherish family and friends. They work to build their lives. They sacrifice to provide for their children's future. The world is a human community. It can thrive when people collaborate to build on what they have in common, rather than what seems to divide them.”

 

Wilfried Kaffenberger, 1962 Charles F. Kettering Foundation Merit Scholarship

“Receiving notice that I had won this scholarship was one of the happiest moments of my life,” Jerry C. Tinianow recalls of his 1973 National Merit Scholar recognition. The winner of a National Merit $1000 Scholarship underwritten by Russell, Burdsall & Ward Bolt and Nut Company, Jerry maintains that “NMSC scholarships are the absolute pinnacle of academic success for a high school student. There is no greater recognition you can provide to an aspiring scholar.”

Jerry’s own educational and career experiences are a testament to his words. He explains: “For most of my public school education, my guidance counselors told me that I was an average student and discouraged me from taking upper level courses…. I finally started ignoring this advice and went into AP courses, eventually graduating 8th in my high school class of over 600.” Receiving a scholarship through NMSC provided further validation of his academic capabilities, and Jerry attended college at George Washington University, where he majored in public affairs and international affairs during his undergraduate years and later earned his JD.

In college, Jerry worked for a Montana congressman, an opportunity which, he says, “allowed me to have regular hands-on experience working in the same areas I was studying at school.” Jerry served as a clerk for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund while in law school and went on to practice law for 22 years. Among his most meaningful accomplishments as an attorney is his admission into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is reserved for lawyers who have verdicts or settlements larger than $1 million.

Jerry prioritized volunteer work throughout his career. He continued his involvement with the Sierra Club by serving in several leadership roles, including “a local group chair, a state chapter chair, the Midwest Regional Vice President and the Vice President for Regions.” He also chaired the club's national Clean Air Campaign. Along with the Sierra Club, Jerry has been involved with several environmental organizations, spending time as the Chair of the Green Mountain Institute for Environmental Democracy and working as a leader for the Priorities '95 community environmental risk assessment and strategic planning project. The first of its kind in the state of Ohio, the Priorities ’95 project that Jerry oversaw “generated 150 recommendations to reduce environmental risks in Columbus, some of which are still being implemented today.”

“These experiences,” Jerry says of his volunteerism, “enabled me to change career paths mid-life and become a full-time sustainability professional without ever getting a college degree in the subject.” He has since served as director of the National Audubon Society in Ohio, and he ran “the largest capital campaign in Audubon's history,” developing the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, which is the “most urban nature education center” in the nation. Currently, Jerry lives in Denver, Colorado, and serves as the city’s first Chief Sustainability Officer. Since Jerry entered this role, “Denver has earned top ten ranking in a number of sustainability categories, including energy efficiency, solar generation and LEED buildings.” His position as Chief Sustainability Officer has become one of his most valued career accomplishments.

College sophomore Alyssa M. Rudin possesses a“deep and abiding intellectual curiosity,” as evidenced by her receipt of a 2016 National Merit University of Chicago Scholarship. “By considering all my academic activities across four years,” she says, “the award measures a portfolio of accomplishment. Thus, its receipt serves as a particularly rewarding culmination of my high school career.”

At the University of Chicago, Alyssa is majoring in economics with a minor in English literature. Alyssa explains that her studies are “especially focused on the ‘why’ of historical, political, and financial events,” and that “economics provides the framework by which to understand the underlying causes of many of those events,” providing “a basis upon which to determine those policies which will optimally improve the standard of living in the future.”

Speaking further on her major, Alyssa says: “One of the many benefits of my education to date has been the transformation of my early love of reading into a much greater ability to appreciate classic texts from a variety of historical, social, and philosophical perspectives. Similarly, I expect that the next chapter of my education will further fuel my passion for learning. As importantly, it will build upon my current foundation to provide even broader perspectives on society and enable me to make a powerful impact on the world around me.”

“Merit-based scholarships like the NMSC scholarship, which are awarded regardless of ability to pay, are increasingly difficult to find. I remember feeling a strong sense of personal achievement and pride from receiving a scholarship that was awarded on the basis of merit, and I think this scholarship propelled me into further achievement in later years.”

 

Bianca Mulaney, 2012 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

“I think the best preparation for success is to be well-read in a wide variety of subjects. Don't limit yourself to just one or two subjects, but include math, science, the arts and humanities to become well-rounded. My advice to corporations, foundations, and colleges that are considering becoming sponsors of NMSC scholarships is to realize that NMSC is an efficient way to minimize, perhaps even eliminate, the cost of administering their own scholarship programs while retaining public recognition of their support.”

 

Irvin L. McKlenshaw, 1963 National Merit Scholarship

“What pleases me most is to contribute to the body of human knowledge, particularly when it helps improve lives,” Dr. Jason N. Rosenbaum says when reflecting on his career thus far. The recipient of a 1994 National Merit $2000 Scholarship, Jason studied molecular biology and integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley and received his MD at Northwestern University. He is currently an assistant professor of clinical pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. “Every piece of primary research I publish,” Jason says, “whether it was my first publication on a small dinosaur from Arizona, or my most recent publication on genomic rearrangements in lung cancer…always makes me feel like I'm part of something larger.”

The advice Jason has for students who will soon compete in the National Merit Scholarship Program reflects his commitment to use his skills to contribute to the greater good. He counsels: “Be the best person you know how to be. I've met a lot of very smart and very accomplished people, but the number of very smart, very accomplished, very good people I meet is vanishingly small. The National Merit Scholarship Program considers the full spectrum of your achievements, and you should not neglect those that affect your community and build your character.”

Sharing the stories of NMSC Scholars is one of the key features in National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s recently released 2016-17 Annual Report. This report features several 2017 Scholars, a number of Scholars who graduated from college in 2017, and members of NMSC's Scholar Community. Three of the Scholar Community members featured in the Annual Report, Anna V. Balabanova, Margaret A. Bull Kovera, and Warren C. Lovinger, were interviewed by NMSC and also featured on the NMSC News Site.

NMSC is excited to announce the names of the first group of scholarship winners in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 1,000 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 200 corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program and these awards. The names of the scholarship winners are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

“To potential sponsors of NMSC scholarships, I would encourage you to strongly consider the decision. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has made a huge impact on my life and the lives of so many others. By becoming a sponsor, you can invest in today’s student and tomorrow’s future. By empowering students and giving them the opportunity to learn you are fostering innovative, educated young adults who could truly change the world.”

 

Samantha A. Mattern, 2017 National Merit University of Kentucky Scholarship

So proud of Saya Abney and Lily Schneider for advancing to National Merit Finalists! I think I got smarter just from standing next to them! #RICSPride pic.twitter.com/tmVBdqqmyc

— Chuck Gardner (@RICSPrincipal) March 27, 2018

Susan L. Henken-Thielen and Deborah L. Henken are twin sisters and winners of National Merit Scholarships. In 1976, Susan received a Grinnell College Merit Scholarship and Deborah won a Northwestern University Merit Scholarship. After signing up for the NMSC Scholar Community, Susan and Deborah were kind enough to share their academic and career experiences as National Merit Scholars. Their story is below:

Winning National Merit Scholarships was a special confirmation of our potential, intelligence, drive and achievements. Accomplishing this in 1976 was perhaps even more unusual, as at that time, students barely knew what the SAT was and certainly didn’t study, prepare, attend training or practice prior to the taking of the exam. This was also a time when women were not yet strongly encouraged to demonstrate their intellect or pursue a non-traditional career, and so the fact that two female twins were the only ones that achieved this honor at our school was indeed special. In fact, our local newspaper announced our win under the headline “These Twins Win”—a reference to the local Minnesota Twins baseball team which was having a dismal year!

“When I was a junior in high school, I began studying Chinese. Little did I know at the time that I would fall completely in love with the language and still be learning it six years later,” Mallory L. Carnes says and continues to describe her study of the language: “In my senior year of high school, I had my first opportunity to visit China, but one of the biggest joys of my life has been the opportunity to return three more times since then.” A college senior and the recipient of a 2014 National Merit Emory University Scholarship, Mallory is double-majoring in Chinese language and literature and music performance and will graduate this spring.

Both of Mallory’s majors have shown her the importance of communicating and connecting with others. She studied abroad at Peking University's China Studies Institute in Beijing during her junior year and credits the experience for improving her Chinese language skills and helping her to become “much more confident with independent travel and much more familiar with what life is like for international students in the U.S.”

As a music major, Mallory is extremely involved in the performing arts community at Emory. “I essentially live in the performing arts center on campus,” she explains, “because it is truly where I feel at home.” Mallory plays the viola in both the Emory University Symphony Orchestra and Emory Chamber Music Program and, as part of the Emory Youth Chamber Program, coaches a middle school quartet. “While music teaches lots of life lessons,” Mallory says, “the biggest for me has been the importance of communication. Whether this is communication verbally between myself and a conductor as I set up a rehearsal or between myself and the audience when I play my viola, I have learned to value both listening and making noise as equally important means of communication.”

“I was the first National Merit Scholar in my high school,” recalls Joan A. Countryman when asked to describe the personal significance of her 1958 Sears Foundation Merit Scholarship. She continues, “the award included a significant grant…. this meant a great deal to my parents and to me, allowing me to attend the college of my choice and to pursue a liberal arts education. I'm proud to say that more than twenty years later both of my children were recognized and received support from NMSC.”

Joan graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1962 with a BA in mathematics and writing, and she subsequently received a master’s degree in city planning and urban studies from Yale University. She was also an active member of the civil rights movement, participating in the Northern Student Movement at Yale and serving as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Joan studied social administration at the London School of Economics as a Fulbright Scholar, an accomplishment she values highly, along with the honorary degrees received throughout her career from Moore College of Art, Roger Williams University, Bowdoin College, and Sarah Lawrence College.

Education has been the cornerstone of Joan’s professional career. She became a secondary school mathematics teacher after completing her Fulbright Fellowship and worked with the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation to help her fellow educators become better teachers. In 1992, Joan published the book, Writing to Learn Mathematics, which shows teachers how to unite the fields of writing and mathematics to help students more easily grasp mathematical concepts and further their reasoning skills.

In support of education for everyone, Joan enthusiastically endorses NMSC’s mission to recognize academically talented students of the United States. She says: “The National Merit Scholarship Program pioneered in providing recognition and support for deserving students who sought to pursue higher education. Just entering the competition can open doors for students who otherwise might not gain access to challenging colleges and universities.” Throughout her years as an activist and educator, Joan has learned that “community means everything,” and the connections made as early as high school are worth exploring. “I don't think I realized this when I entered college,” she explains, “but now I insist that my children and grandchildren take advantage of the connections that we all have made in our academic and professional lives.”

“The most valuable part for me was the learning and growing that happened through the entire application process. More than taking the qualifying test, the questions and essays helped me learn about myself. Sponsoring NMSC scholarships is a low-cost way of attracting successful students and enabling them to achieve more than they could have on their own.”

 

Michael D. Ricks, 2011 National Merit Brigham Young University Scholarship

A graduate of Harvard University and winner of a 2013 National Merit $2500 Scholarship, Kimberley Yu began college with some uncertainty regarding her college major, due to her interest in many different fields of study. Kimberley eventually chose to major in both molecular biology and computer science, and she believes that her passion for biological sciences, fine art, and computer science will be an asset to her career as a computational biologist. She says:

“My great interest in both science and art gives me a unique perspective that powerfully combines the worlds of both the scientist and the artist. As an artist, I see the world as a place to be pondered, dreamed about, and captured in the strokes of my paintbrush. I get amazed at how single strokes of color and pencil can be blended and weaved together to create amazingly lifelike pieces of art. Sometimes I lose track of time just staring in wonder at drawings that so perfectly capture the emotions in a person’s face. The tiny details—the furrow in the brow that symbolizes worry, the small crinkles by the eyes that show joy— are what make all the difference in a truly expressive piece of art. In art, the goal is expression. Yet as a scientist, I also examine the world analytically and logically. I want to define rules on why organisms and environments function a particular way. In science, understanding and innovation is key. Together, my unique interest in both science and art gives me a distinctive background.”

Nathaniel Baker was recognized at tonight’s School Board Meeting! He is our National Merit Finalist! @JamestownHigh pic.twitter.com/XM5iy9GFMk

— EaglesPrincipalJHS (@JHSPrin_WJCC) March 21, 2018

“This award has only further sparked my desire for academic success because I feel that NMSC is making an investment in my education, and I am so honored that it believes my education is a worthy cause in which to invest….I will strive for success in order to uphold the legacy of this award and the many dedicated scholarship recipients who have come before me. It is truly humbling to be a part of such a prestigious community of scholars.”

 

Bridget J. Bauman, 2013 National Merit Texas A&M University Scholarship

When asked to describe her most valued accomplishment, Dr. Margaret Bull Kovera has an impressive list from which to choose. She is the recipient of a 1984 National Merit Scholarship, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwestern University and a PhD in social psychology from the University of Minnesota, and has won an array of professional awards that serve as a testament to her distinguished career as a researcher and educator.

"I am fascinated by the mind and the brain. I also love the beauty of conducting research. I hope to contribute new knowledge to the science community and the world at large. I am particularly interested in social bonds and how a particular chemical balance can invoke feelings of closeness, or even love. I also think educating the public about neuroscience and science in general is important to the success of the field, especially since every single person is affected by what we learn about ourselves. I also want to continue to engage in the philosophical debates surrounding neuroscience, those of ethics, consciousness, the self, and the mind." A 2013 Norfolk Southern Scholarship winner, Asha Y. Caslin majored in neuroscience and behavioral biology and philosophy at Emory University. Currently serving in the Peace Corps in Liberia, Asha hopes to eventually attend graduate school to study neuroscience.

When asked why he chose to pursue a major in geochemistry, Andrew Chan replies, “because of my love of rocks and my love of science.” Andrew’s interest in geology stems from a childhood fascination with dinosaurs and their fossils, and in high school he gained “a new appreciation for science and the work that scientists perform” after completing an internship with the bioengineering department at the University of Colorado Denver.  Andrew is currently writing a paper describing the clutch mechanism for a prosthetic motor he developed during his internship. He maintains that “the scientific process is one of failure and revision,” and plans to utilize this process throughout a career dedicated to finding environmentally friendly ways to harvest the earth’s minerals.

A sophomore at Kansas State University and the recipient of a 2016 National Merit $2500 Scholarship, Clara K. Wicoff is pursuing a double major in agricultural economics and global food systems leadership. “As an economics student,” she says, “I have learned about the concept of comparative advantage. The United States certainly has a comparative advantage in innovation. This is something that we take for granted. If we want to continue to innovate, we have to support the continued education of young intellectuals.” Clara describes how her National Merit Scholarship helps her focus on her studies without the need for a part-time job, and thus she is able to supplement her course work at Kansas State with both research and community service experiences relevant to her majors.

Clara conducted research regarding Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in beef during an internship through a Coordinated Agricultural Project funded by the USDA. The goal of the project was to reduce public health risks, and Clara presented her findings at the 2017 STEC CAP Conference. She has also worked as an undergraduate student researcher for the Department of Entomology at Kansas State, where she “researched the impact of a specific insecticide-treated storage material on three stored product insect species” with the help of the USDA Center for Grain and Animal Health Research. Clara’s work received the Most Significant Findings designation at a symposium at her college. Of this research experience, Clara says: “I have always been passionate about food security, but I had never considered the role that entomology plays in global food security. After working with stored product insects, I certainly have a different perspective.” 

Currently, Clara is working as a legislative intern at the Kansas Capitol, exploring her interest in agricultural policy and how it is developed. Additionally, for the past three years, Clara has volunteered with her local summer food service program, which “provides free meals to youth between the ages of 1 to 18 in the summer time (when school meals are not available).” Working with the service program was, Clara says, “a humbling experience that allowed me to give back to my community in a truly meaningful way.” 

Elizabeth C. Chase graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, earning a BA in history and a BS in Public Health with a focus in biostatistics. Although her fields of study seem disparate, Elizabeth observes that “virtually anything in the world can be made a public health issue,” and can therefore be analyzed using biostatistics. “If a biostatistician develops the tool for some kind of data,” she explains, “dozens of other researchers can use that tool to help people.” Elizabeth’s college research experiences often focused on the history of public health. Notably, she completed an honor’s thesis that concentrated on the legislation passed during the American HIV epidemic. Elizabeth also served as the editor of UNC’s undergraduate history journal, spent a summer studying Renaissance art and history in Rome, and published several history papers of her own while in college.

Born with a genetic condition that resulted in frequent hospitalizations, Sean T. Bunce has come to view the hospital as a “second home.” Rather than hindering his ambitions, Sean’s experience as a hospital patient has motivated him to pursue a career in medicine. Sean has been inspired by the doctors and nurses whose care he has received over the years, and he is excited to begin his study of biological sciences at Florida International University. He hopes to take advantage of research opportunities and to shadow medical professionals of various specialties during his undergraduate years. Ultimately, Sean’s goals are “to vastly improve the quality of life of others, to bring happiness, and to enable others to continue their lives and aspirations unhindered by any setbacks.”

A freshman English major at Stanford University, Jungin “Angie” Lee explains that she is “fascinated by how words can be scientific, lyrical, political, and holy.” She continues, “I am infinitely drawn and motivated to learn more about words, their meanings, and their combinations.” From childhood bedtime stories, to reading the works of Shakespeare and F. Scott Fitzgerald in high school, Angie has become “intrigued by how words can define individuals,” and has spent her high school years refining her writing skills. Angie served as short fiction editor for her high school’s literary magazine and worked as a staff writer for Young Mensan Magazine. She also participated in summer writing programs at Harvard University and Stanford. In college, Angie plans to further refine her writing skills and use her voice by joining a student-run newspaper.

As a high school student, Richelle L. Smith was unsure what field of study to pursue in college. A summer internship for the Physics Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz strengthened her interest in stem fields and instilled in her a “desire to do research in applied physics and technology.” Richelle is now an alumna of the University of Southern California (USC), where she graduated summa cum laude and completed both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in electrical engineering within four years. In her sophomore year, Richelle began pursuing studies beyond her undergraduate course work, and by the end of her senior year she had completed a total of nine graduate classes.

“To students who will soon be competing, I advise them to work as hard and often as they can, especially on those things they are passionate about. In the end, your dreams can only be realized by hard work, including winning an NMSC scholarship. To the corporations, foundations, and colleges looking to fund the NMSC scholarships, I implore them to do so. These scholarships are so meaningful in the lives of the next generation of leaders and innovators who will change the world. Affording a college education is the next step in their paths to success and any financial donation is greatly appreciated by myself and these students.”

 

Leilani Ann Trautman, 2017 National Merit Raytheon Scholarship

A graduate of both Harvard and Stanford University, Hersh Sagreiya received his MD in 2012 and subsequently completed a residency in diagnostic radiology. His career has focused on “applying machine learning and deep learning techniques to the analysis of medical data, with the goal of improved disease detection and diagnosis” through medical imaging data such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound. He has received research grants from the Radiological Society of North America, NVIDIA, and the Stanford Cancer Imaging Training Program.

The recipient of a 2003 National Merit $2500 Scholarship, Hersh offers the following advice to students who will soon be competing in the National Merit Scholarship Program:

“Pursue activities that are personally meaningful…. You never know how the skills you learned in high school and college could become useful in unexpected ways down the road. The mathematics and programming skills I learned in college have actually been indispensable for me as a physician scientist. In addition, it is important to be a good writer, as those skills are indispensable in a wide variety of careers, but particularly in science, where papers and grants are of key importance.”

It is time for Scholars to renew their awards for the 2018-19 academic year. Earlier this month, NMSC mailed instructions for completing the Online Scholarship Renewal Application to Scholars with renewable stipends. Online Scholarship Renewal Applications are due March 21, 2018.

Please contact Scholarship Administration at (847) 866-5161 for any questions regarding the Online Scholarship Renewal Application.

The winner of a 1970 National Merit Scholarship, Dr. Warren C. Lovinger maintains that his recognition as a Scholar has encouraged him to act as a leader in his community and has led to educational opportunities and professional connections throughout his career. The son of a university president, Dr. Lovinger recalls a strong emphasis placed on higher education while growing up on the campus of Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri). He attended this university after receiving a National Merit Scholarship, and credits his National Merit recognition as one of the factors that led to his acceptance into the medical program at Johns Hopkins University as well as opening up “academic opportunities in college and later on” in his career.

Congratulations to our national merit scholarship finalists! pic.twitter.com/DPnfa5BfxB

— Linda Junge (@LindaJunge) February 15, 2018

 “Back when I was typing my National Merit Scholarship application, I never dreamt of all the adventures I would have,” says Miriam E. Kotsonis, the winner of a 1972 National Merit $1000 Scholarship funded by the Shell Oil Company Foundation. She continues: “Winning the scholarship began to solidify my belief in my capabilities, to give me much-needed confidence. As the years passed, I became more and more willing to try new things and evaluate accomplishments, not by how much applause or money they would yield, but by how much good they could do.”

Miriam’s National Merit recognition led to opportunities in college, such as a full-tuition scholarship at the University of Dallas, where she received a bachelor’s degree in English literature. She describes her scholarship as “life-changing” and as “something within reach even of people who are not particularly privileged with respect to their high school educational opportunities.” She also earned an MA and PhD in psychology at the University of Virginia and believes her status as a National Merit Scholar strengthened her graduate school application. “This is a powerful and prestigious award to be associated with,” Miriam explains and reminds potential corporate sponsors that National Merit awards are “also a way to reach capable young people…. You never know, a talented kid can grow up to be a wonderful employee.”

Miriam’s own college experiences were defined by “tremendous growth along with extensive travel,” which caused her to be “more open to other new experiences, to adventure, language, and exploration.” Her career has spanned the industries of usability engineering, organizational psychology, and internal management consulting, along with numerous volunteer activities and a continued devotion to lifelong learning. After marrying into a Greek family, Miriam became fluent in the language and active in the Greek Orthodox church. She volunteers as an advisor for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts regarding religious awards and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in applied orthodox theology through the University of Balamand in Lebanon and the Antiochian House of Studies. She plans to graduate this year. An active fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Miriam is heartened to see how her support “makes the painful choices and therapies that cancer patients undergo just a little more bearable,” and how they can “derive strength from the love and caring they see” along with the funds raised. 

Speaking about her academic and professional communities, Miriam notes that it can be easy “to lose track of most of your connections, especially if you changed geography, industry, and corporation,” as she did more than once throughout her career. “But now,” she says, “we are all rejoicing in finding each other again through various networks, and re-establishing live communities when it is possible…. we are willing to go out of our way to help each other, give each other feedback, and accomplish things together.”

Congratulations to our two National Merit Finalist Hanson Kuang and Andy Kanz! #midwaymagic @lil_kwiz pic.twitter.com/VHmmg6i36h

— Midway High School (@MidwayHS) February 12, 2018

Congratulations to these four @RHHSHawks for being named National Merit Finalists! We are proud of each of you! #heathlearns @villarreal_jj @rockwallschools #iloverockwallisd #HawkNation pic.twitter.com/tAQpEitULl

— Todd Bradford (@tbradford98) February 12, 2018

HUGE s/o to our 9 National Merit FINALISTS!! Their hard work is truly commendable! Special shout to their PARENTS & all the TEACHERS at @ayerelementary @SherwoodArcher1 @MadduxMustangs @summitbees @NagelNighthawks & @AndersonRedskin who helped along the way! It takes OUR village! pic.twitter.com/KWC8L3p3DJ

— Rob Fellows (@FellowsEdu) February 13, 2018

Today the Waller High School celebrated John Sherar for being named a 2018 National Merit Finalist. Students lined the halls to cheer as Sherar drove by accompanied by the Waller High School Drumline and Cheer Team. pic.twitter.com/ezJ5aIsOIL

— Waller ISD (@WallerISD) February 13, 2018

Tibra A. Wheeler was searching for a college major when her 13-year-old brother was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, osteoporosis, and Crohn’s disease. After witnessing her brother’s daily struggle and the time it took for doctors to arrive at a diagnosis, Tibra decided to use her love of math and science to study biomedical engineering. “Fortunately, my brother did not need prosthetics, but many children do,” Tibra explains. “Biomedical engineering is the field that would allow me to create devices that would aid children similar to my brother” and “to develop treatment options for faster recovery times.”

 

Last month, the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Selection Committee convened at NMSC's office to choose the 2,500 winners of the National Merit $2500 Scholarships to be awarded in 2018. The Selection Committee is composed of college admission officers and high school guidance directors and counselors who work in pairs to evaluate the scholarship applications of Finalists on a state-by-state basis. Committee members review all of the Finalist applications and consider each student’s academic record (including course load, rigor, depth and breadth of subjects studied, and grades earned); the student’s self-descriptive essay, activities, leadership, employment, and contributions to the school and community; in addition to the high school official’s letter of recommendation. The Scholars selected by the Committee are those determined to have the strongest combination of attributes and accomplishments and the greatest potential for future success in college studies and beyond.

A 2012 National Merit $2500 Scholarship winner, Heather A. Price earned a degree in secondary mathematics education from the University of Michigan and subsequently began her career as a high school math teacher. “For as long I can remember,” she says, “I've been captivated by mathematics and have found myself drawn to the subject's inexorable wealth of possibility and evolving knowledge.”

In college, Heather worked as a student instructor for the Michigan Math and Science Scholars Camp for advanced high school students at the University of Michigan and served as President of her university’s chapter of the Women in Mathematics organization. She also worked as a course assistant for geometry and mathematics education classes, which, she says, “gave me practical experience that I now use in my career as a high school teacher.” Heather has her sights set on a career helping “young people grow and become a part of a supportive and positive community,” and she hopes “to make a dent in a variety of larger issues such as inequity, mathematical illiteracy, and the development of critical thinking dispositions.”

Heather plans to eventually further her education by obtaining a master’s degree, but she is currently focused on gaining “real-world practical experience as an educator working with a diverse population of students in the classroom.” Her main goal for the future is to help her students “unlock their individual and unique potential so that they can feel confident and empowered and can go out and, in turn, make a difference in the world themselves.”

As a mathematics major and member of the Honors Residential College at Baylor University, Clarissa A. Binder discovered a love for community and helping others. Clarissa describes Baylor's Honors Residential College as “a residence hall that highly emphasizes community and the formation of students as whole persons” while pursuing academic excellence. Participating in the College Council and serving as a Community Leader at the residence hall taught Clarissa “what it means to truly live with others” and to appreciate a variety of perspectives that often make up a community. “Students from all across the country and the world,” she explains, “brought different ideas and skills to the table as we lived together. We served our community, tutoring at a local public housing complex. We shared with excitement what we were learning over extended dinners in the adjoining dining hall. We brought our musical and artistic gifts together in the residence hall's annual Christmas program. In all these things, I learned from this community not just how to talk about the good, the true, and the beautiful, but how to pursue it wholeheartedly.”

Clarissa’s college experiences led to a desire to become more involved with the larger community of Waco, Texas, where Baylor is located, and resulted in her decision to remain in the city after graduating and work as a high school math teacher. Clarissa’s goal is “to see my community flourish…. I firmly believe that educating local students well is part of that, but so is supporting local organizations in alleviating food desert challenges, supporting arts initiatives, and getting to know my neighbors.”

The recipient of a 2013 National Merit $2500 Scholarship underwritten by The UPS Foundation, Clarissa believes that “community entails mutual support and growth through the bonds formed by a group of individuals,” and envisions the NMSC Scholar Community as a group that “would support one another, even after college, in pursuing new and worthwhile opportunities.” She adds: “I would love to connect with other Scholars who are interested in education and community development, sharing experiences and ideas for how we can live in service to our communities.” 

Today NMSC mailed Certificates of Merit to principals across the country, and notified them of which students have advanced to Finalist standing in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. Letters to Finalists’ homes will be mailed on February 12. About 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists named in  September 2017 have met all requirements to advance to Finalist standing in the competition. All Finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarships to be offered in 2018.

A 2012 National Merit Michigan State University Scholarship winner, Aaron L. Oom, studied biochemistry and molecular biology with a minor in Italian. He has started a PhD program in biomedical sciences at the University of California, San Diego with the hopes of running a lab in a national or international health organization. "I have a lot of interest in the role of researchers in shaping public health policy and the impact of social dimensions on research," Aaron says of his career path.

When asked why he chose his field of study, Aaron explains: "I enjoy the scientific and social aspects of infectious disease and appreciate the greater complexities presented by the impact that each has on the other. I hope to move the field to a place where it's commonplace for researchers to be involved in not just research, but also advocating for scientific action in the public arena." While in college, Aaron volunteered with the Michigan State University LGBT Resource Center and the Lansing Area AIDS Network. These experiences fostered his interest in infectious diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, and gave him a "greater perspective of patient concerns and the forms that risk can take."

Additionally, study abroad opportunities and internships helped confirm his desire to run a lab. Aaron traveled to Italy twice to study healthcare systems and Italian language and culture, spurring his fascination with “the social aspects of health and science.” He also worked at Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, MI conducting research that focused on new treatments for prostate cancer. “This internship,” Aaron says, “was my first opportunity to develop and run my own project.” Similarly, he spent a summer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN where he researched ways to prevent hearing loss in pediatric chemotherapy patients. Through the research he will undertake during his doctoral studies, Aaron plans to strengthen his “investigative skills and gain the necessary connections to establish a lab that has the influence needed to change the way things work in infectious disease.”

“As someone who's always felt a bit weird or different from the rest of my peers for my tireless interest and devotion to exploring new academic topics, being part of this community of NMSC Scholars has shown me that it's actually one of my most valuable assets, being academically focused and intuitive. I'm grateful for the opportunity to see academic curiosity and success being rewarded in our schools and universities, and it makes me extremely excited to continue my studies."

 

Ashton R. Murray, 2017 National Merit Indiana University Bloomington Scholarship

After studying Spanish and chemistry at Luther College, Austin E. Pickup hopes to attend medical school and pursue his dream of becoming a medical doctor. The recipient of a 2013 Henry Taub Memorial Scholarship sponsored by the ADP Foundation, Austin has the following advice for competing students and potential sponsors of the National Merit Scholarship Program:  

"I would tell [students] to take the application very seriously and that you have to just be yourself. I've only completely rewritten one essay in my life and it was the application for the Taub scholarship. I normally write an essay and have my friends/family review it and just keep tweaking it. However, I knew this essay was important and I didn't like my first essay, even after edits. I completely scrapped it and spent another few hours making myself rewrite an essay. At the time, it wasn't fun because I didn't think I'd get anything out of it but I wanted to give myself the best chance possible. Looking back, that was the best decision I think I've ever made. To the corporations, I want to emphasize how important scholarships are for students these days. Even if I had gone to a state school I would have thousands of dollars of student loans. Every time someone gets a scholarship they are allowed more freedom to pursue learning and developing themselves as a person. I have had the great fortune of being awarded that freedom and I feel like a more whole, well-rounded person because of my studies I was able to carry out. I can't underestimate how much differently I see the world now than when I was 18, and I couldn't have done that without scholarships."

Featured in the 2001-02 NMSC Annual Report, Emily Stewart Lakdawalla received a BA in geology from Amherst College and a MS degree in planetary geology from Brown University. She is now the Senior Editor and Planetary Evangelist at The Planetary Society, a non-profit dedicated to "empowering the world’s citizens to advance space science and exploration." In 1992, Emily won a National Merit $2000 Scholarship underwritten by Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, Inc.

She will soon publish her first book, titled The Design and Engineering of Curiosity: How the Mars Rover Performs Its Job, which is set to be released in 2018. Her second book, Curiosity and Its Science Mission: A Mars Rover Goes to Work, will be released in 2019.

More information on Emily can be found here and her writing can be found at The Planetary Society's blog here. 

It is not often that we at NMSC are able to sit down and converse, in person, with National Merit Scholars, given the wide span of the National Merit Scholarship Program. When the opportunity arose for Dr. Anna Balabanova, the recipient of a 2008 National Merit Northwestern University Scholarship, to visit NMSC’s office, we were thrilled to speak with her about the significance of her award, the opportunities that arose from her recognition, and any advice she could give to students who are hoping to join the small, prestigious community of National Merit Scholars.

Dr. Balabanova is a graduate of the Northwestern University Honors Program in Medical Education, an accelerated seven-year medical program. Currently, she is serving as Chief Resident at the Northwestern McGaw Family Medicine Residency Program at Lake Forest. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

NMSC: What did receiving your scholarship mean to you personally? Did it lead to any special opportunities?

Dr. Balabanova: It meant a lot to have my hard work recognized, especially by an organization I’ve always looked up to. I very much appreciated the support. It definitely made me a more competitive candidate. I was in the seven-year program at Northwestern, which is competitive, and I think it absolutely helped my acceptance into that program.

Lindsey G. Ferguson is the recipient of a 2013 National Merit Oregon State University Scholarship. She recently earned a BS in Zoology and began veterinary school at Oregon State University this fall. Lindsey intends to continue her education through internships and residencies focusing on aquatic or wildlife medicine, and she is also considering pursuing a PhD program that will allow her to keep teaching and conducting research. Regarding her chosen field of study, Lindsey explains:

"I am drawn to veterinary medicine because of the pedagogical nature of the field. I have been lucky enough to have had many wonderful mentors so far, and I hope to be as good of a mentor to future students interested in science, animals, and medicine. In addition, as a vet, I hope to be an effective communicator, translator, and teacher to my clients and others in order to spread knowledge about animal needs and behaviors, whether they be pets, farm animals, sea creatures, or other wildlife. In this way, I aim to help strengthen the human-animal bond. Animals have a way of speaking to us without words and teaching us to empathize, and I believe that fostering this type of bond will help remind people of the shared traits we all possess and bring a little more understanding to the world."

All of us at National Merit Scholarship Corporation send our best wishes for an enjoyable and safe holiday season. This is an ideal time to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and to express appreciation to family, friends, and others who have enabled our progress. We hope that the new year will bring opportunities and successes to the talented Scholars, generous sponsors, hard-working high school students, and dedicated secondary school and college officials who help NMSC to achieve it's mission in 2017.

“I am usually the only girl in any given IT class,” Kelly N. Krenek explains while describing her decision to pursue a major in computer science. She continues, “being the only girl gave me a certain confidence in straying away from the beaten path because I already felt like I wasn’t following it. I credit my situation with my slowly learned ability to strive for what I want, especially when it’s unusual or hard to explain.”

The recipient of a 2017 National Merit Texas A&M University Scholarship, Kelly plans to take advantage of research opportunities in college, as well as join student coding organizations and participate in the Public Policy Internship Program, where students apply the skills developed in their areas of study to internship positions within their state, local, and federal government offices. Kelly is focusing on the field of cybersecurity and will use her computer science skills to “close the gap between idea and implementation” in order to improve government legislation and policy. 

Kelly worked to combine her love of computer science with her desire to benefit her community throughout high school. She acted as Texas State President for SkillsUSA, an organization that supports the development of career and technical skills within the nation’s workforce. Along with other students from her high school cybersecurity class, Kelly created an outreach program to teach the basics of online safety to members of her community. She presented information on topics such as password strength and cyberattacks. Through this experience, Kelly says, “I developed my plans to continue using what I know to improve areas of the world I am passionate about.” 

NMSC is excited to announce a new sponsor in the National Merit Scholarship Program: Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. Beginning in 2018, Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. will sponsor awards for the children of their employees.

“Funny story,” begins Megan Torman when asked what advice she has for students entering the National Merit Scholarship Program, “I almost didn't even take the PSAT! I did not have classes in the morning… and my mom came and woke me up and told me I needed to go take this test. Reluctantly, I got up and took the test. I had NO idea just how important that one test would be.” She continues, “There are many paths to take, but part of knowing where you want to go is knowing what roads are open. From that day forward, I have my mom to thank for encouraging me to take ahold of that opportunity which has led to my entire educational career.”

Scholarships and available financial aid factored heavily in Megan’s college decision. She has the following advice for students in similar situations who are currently competing for National Merit Scholarships:

“Continue to work hard. Not just to receive this award, but to prepare yourself for your future. The only person you're really doing a disservice to by not trying is yourself. I know the competition is tough, and the statistics are a little scary, but just do the best you can! Don't take shortcuts and learn how to keep up with deadlines. Start managing your time wisely now and looking at your options for colleges or trade schools or where ever it is you want your career to go. You may not be sure exactly what you want to do, but try to think about how you want to do it. With what attitude? With what people? What is your end goal? What do you enjoy? I couldn't have guessed I would be where I am today when I was in your shoes. Just do your research and do what's best for you.”

The recipient of a 2012 National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship, Megan has this to say to colleges that are not yet sponsors of National Merit Scholarships:

“I strongly encourage more colleges to participate! I've met many Scholars through my time at Alabama and they are hard-working good-hearted people that will represent your school well! And financial aid is a huge determinant for a large percentage of incoming students. If you want the best and the brightest, you need to be able to compete with the programs of Alabama and Auburn, just to name a few. I imagine that it's equally rewarding for those who help support students like myself, as it is for us students who get to reap the rewards of hard work and determination.”

“I can barely express in words the opportunities that I am receiving because of this distinction. Being named a National Merit Scholar put me in an incredibly impressive national community of students and launched me to the top of the stack for countless scholarships and programs. Together, these have added up to allow me to attend college for free, and I cannot be more grateful. I am blessed, honored, and now have a drive to succeed not just for me, but for those who made my college experience financially possible.”

 

Michael J. Sporkin, 2017 National Merit Aon Scholarship

Board of Education honors our National Merit Semifinalists. #GlenbardPride pic.twitter.com/uXmGIy1O6k

— GlenbardDist87 (@GlenbardDist87) November 28, 2017

The College Board has begun releasing 2017 PSAT/NMSQT Score Reports. Whether you view your Score Report online or on paper, be sure to review the NMSC section to confirm you accurately answered NMSC’s four entry requirement questions. NMSC will announce Semifinalists and Commended Students in September of 2018.

Akshaya Uthayakumar is determined to make a positive impact on society by utilizing her passions for science and helping others. A member of the Girl Scouts for 12 years, Akshaya’s community service projects included travel to a rural village in India to tutor elementary children. She also earned the prestigious Gold Award for raising awareness of noise pollution and its societal effects through research and the effective use of social media. Akshaya believes that her accomplishments in Girl Scouts enabled her to “inspire action, have confidence, and be decisive” throughout all her pursuits.

While in high school, Akshaya helped students with disabilities improve their academics and develop their social skills as part of a Community Based Instruction program. She co-founded her high school’s chapter of Health Occupational Students of America (HOSA), taking the initiative to foster relationships between students interested in pursuing medical careers. As a volunteer for her local hospital, Akshaya shadowed a gastroenterologist in the Endoscopy department and a nurse in the Infusion Center. Of this experience, Akshaya says she gained valuable insights regarding patient care and was inspired to “become part of the next generation of scientists who bring more effective diagnosis and treatments” to their patients.

The winner of a 2016 ADP Henry Taub Memorial Scholarship, Akshaya is currently studying biomedical engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. She is committed to pursuing her dream of “creating a better and sustainable world” while balancing her academic pursuits with her passion for service and leadership.

This week National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) mailed reminders to Semifinalists who have yet to submit their official SAT Score Reports to NMSC. To progress to Finalist standing in the National Merit Scholarship Program, a Semifinalist must submit an SAT score that confirms his or her performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. For more information about this requirement, including deadlines for score submission, please review the Requirements and Instructions for Semifinalists document.

“This award is such a huge honor for me, and it will ease the burden of paying for college so much! I was able to get a nice computer that will last me for many years, and I also feel more confident that I will be able to do a study abroad now. It's unbelievable that I get to join this amazing community of scholars. Reading past annual reports has opened my eyes to how amazing NMSC scholars are, and I can't wait to continue to earn my place here!”

 

Sydney Bertram, 2017 National Merit $2500 Scholarship

Board of Education honors our National Merit Commended Students. #GlenbardPride pic.twitter.com/UkxAoxdUFO

— GlenbardDist87 (@GlenbardDist87) November 28, 2017

"I’m very grateful to have been selected for the National Merit Citizen Watch Scholarship. For me, it’s evidence that hard work pays off. Winning this award is the culmination of years of work. CITIZEN’s generous scholarship is also proof that businesses have the power to better the world. Practical job experience is vital for any career, and CITIZEN’s internship offer holds incredible value and will no doubt improve my chances of finding success in my professional life."

 

Ziyu Shao, 2015 National Merit Citizen Watch Scholarship

Carly M. Collette is the recipient of a 2013 James E. Casey Scholarship sponsored by The UPS Foundation. A recent graduate of the Kenan-Flager Business School at the University of Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carly completed a double major in business administration and economics while also earning her private pilot license. "My passion is for flying," she explains and cites her study abroad experiences in places like Finland, Russia, and Dubai as the inspiration for her dream of "exploring the world" as an airline pilot.

Now, Carly is working toward her master's degree in accountancy at Wake Forest University. She is continuing her flight training, and in the future she hopes to obtain a position as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Of her career goals, Carly says: "I cannot imagine pursuing anything except my passions. I hope to be an example to other women, showing that they can pursue an aviation career as well as do whatever they put their minds to."

Celebrating our 47 National Merit Commended and Semifinalists today! Thx Wheeler Magnet Foundation for the donuts! pic.twitter.com/T24QaayqUO

— Wheeler Magnet (@WheelerMagnet) November 15, 2017

All of us at National Merit Scholarship Corporation send our best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for our sponsors, the hard-working high school students, and the dedicated secondary and college officials, all of whom help us carry out NMSC's mission. To scholarship recipients, we thank you for using your talents to make a positive impact on the world.

Erin K. Mulholland was awarded a National Merit Wheaton College Scholarship in 2009 and was featured in NMSC's 2012–13 Annual Report. At that time, NMSC posed the question: "Please describe in detail any internship, co-op, and/or study abroad program that enabled you to have a deeper learning experience. How has this experience affected you and your career plans?" Erin responded with this story:

When I stepped out of the airplane onto the tarmac in Freetown I felt like I had walked into a blanket, so heavy was the humidity. But heavier still was the awareness that I was stepping off the one thing that could take me back the way I came. I must confess, the vast majority of the previous twenty-two hours of air travel had been spent with my head hidden under my sweater so that people would think that I was asleep, not weeping my little homesick heart out. I hate it when people see me cry. But before I could get choked up all over again, the crowds swept me along, as we rushed the bus and then the terminal–getting through customs, immigration, baggage claim, and finally out to the entrance, where I was to be met by a doctor from the hospital where I would be working for the next six months, as part of the HNGR Program (Human Needs and Global Resources), a certificate program in Development Studies at Wheaton College. Students from a wide range of majors participate and are placed individually with host organizations in developing countries, doing work in their areas of interest.

Mahria A. Baker is the recipient of a 2017 National Merit $2500 Scholarship underwritten by The UPS Foundation. A freshman at the University of Chicago, Mahria has decided to pursue a major in art history. She explains:

"I took my school's art history class junior year, and the discipline captivated me like no other. I hope to impact the field by learning as much as I can within it and sharing that knowledge with others through a career in education. In the past art history has had a reputation for being elitist and esoteric. I hope to do my part to continue to change this perception of the field. Art is universal. It permeates every part of our collective human culture. Being introduced to art history was like learning to read. The language of art conveys all sorts of information that I could not perceive or process before I took the course. Art history opened my eyes to a whole new world. My goal is to give more students the opportunity to experience the magic of art history through education and outreach.”

"I’m so incredibly excited and grateful towards Northrop Grumman and National Merit for this opportunity to further my education and I hope to give back in the future. College has become more and more expensive as time goes on, and I’m thankful for the help that this scholarship will provide. In addition, it is truly an honor to be recognized by National Merit!"

 

Anli Chen, 2016 National Merit Northrop Grumman Scholarship

Congrats to our Commended Students in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program! Outstanding work! #KennettPRIDE pic.twitter.com/i2Xd37JCoX

— KENNETT_HS (@KCSDKennettHS) October 31, 2017

A freshman at Brown University, Chihye Kim has chosen to major in English. Throughout high school, Chihye filled notebook after notebook with stories, and she has submitted many of her short fiction pieces to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, winning two National Medals. Of her decision to pursue creative writing in college, Chihye says:   

"Stories are essentially the study of humanity. They reenact the past, paint pictures of the future, and put us face to face with the present. My ultimate goal is to become an author, and in addition to increasing racial diversity in fiction, I want to use literature to allow people to think, feel, and dream in equal measure."

Chihye is the recipient of a 2017 National Merit $2500 Scholarship.

“Throughout my four years of college, many have supported me. I have received many words of encouragement, prayers, thoughtful gestures and sound pieces of advice that helped spur me to success. But unlike these temporary forms of help, the scholarship I have received because of your program has seen me through from the beginning to the end. Since I began as a lost freshman, you have been backing me, investing in me and carrying me through one of the the toughest challenges of college education: affording it. Now looking back, it is easy to see that without your support I would not have made it as far as I have.”

 

Faith Meitzler, 2013 National Merit Calmer L. Johnson/John W. Leslie ITW Scholarship

Congratulations to our 52 National Merit Semifinalists as they were recognized at tonight's board meeting! pic.twitter.com/51RdRpWrpy

— Carmel Clay Schools (@myccs) October 23, 2017

Vincent P. Song maintains that his 2013 USG Corporation Scholarship enabled him to "be more flexible" and "explore different career paths" in college "rather than being pressured to choose a route as soon as possible." A recent graduate of Columbia University, Vincent majored in economics and biology, which allowed for a diverse course load that enabled him "to approach problems with a much broader perspective."

Vincent was able to serve as a market development intern for an educational start-up in Shanghai. He traveled across China and interacted with students who were interested in exploring educational opportunities in the U.S. "I began to refine my prior conceptions of an educational system’s purpose," he says of the experience. Vincent’s holistic college experiences have led him to consider many different avenues for his professional career. Currently, he is working as a financial analyst at Moody’s, where he researches the effects of economic policy on insurance companies. After gaining some experience in the financial industry, Vincent plans to either attend business school, join a biotech start-up company, or continue his work in the educational sector. 

“This type of recognition of my high school accomplishments is a wonderful gift for me and my family and reinforces the benefits of hard work. I know my Dad attributes much of our family's success to his career at Fifth Third Bank and it is an honor to be able to be awarded for my success through his company. Thank you very much for the tuition help and I will make both my family and the Fifth Third community proud of my accomplishments.”

 

Kent Allen Linton, 2016 Fifth Third Scholarship

Walter J. Manual, a 2016 National Merit Purdue University Scholarship winner, hopes to have “an out-of-this-world future, quite literally unbound by human history and expectations.” He explains: 

"I have chosen to major in Aerospace Engineering, a decision that stems from my desire to ultimately become an Astronaut. Ever since I was young I have dreamed of traveling out of this world, parlaying that enthusiasm into attending Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Alabama twice, once on a partial scholarship, and once on a full merit scholarship, among other STEM-oriented camps and experiences. Space flight captured my imagination because I know that there is so much that we have yet to know about our universe. The answers are out there, and I want to help discover them. In the meantime, I want to study the systems that transport explorers into space, and find ways to build more efficient rockets and devices. I want to be intimately involved with space exploration as an astronaut and aerospace engineer.”

Walter is an Eagle Scout, Scholar-Athlete, and current member of the Purdue Running Club.

The winner of a National Merit Oberlin College Scholarship, Julia E. Olivieri completed her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and biology in 2016. Julia supplemented her college course work through summer research positions; she studied DNA sequencing at Oberlin and later worked in a lab at the University of Michigan where she created a computer program to help reconstruct phylogenic histories based on sequenced genes. “This was the first time I worked side-by-side with graduate students,” Julia explains, “and their passion for their work and willingness to help me with my first steps encouraged me to pursue graduate school for myself.” 

While studying abroad as part of the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics program, Julia was encouraged by the community of like-minded people with whom she worked daily. She became convinced that pursuing graduate studies in mathematics would be a worthwhile experience. Julia is now working toward her PhD at Stanford University’s Institute for Computation and Mathematical Engineering. Through her undergraduate work, Julia has seen how “computational techniques are revolutionizing research in the field of biology,” and she intends to contribute to this movement. She says, “The more I learn, the better questions I can ask. I hope to hone that skill, using my education to figure out not only what’s known, but what area of the unknown is ripe for exploration.” 

In the past two weeks, over 15,000 Semifinalists have submitted their 2018 National Merit Scholarship Applications to NMSC using the Online Scholarship Application (OSA) portal. Ten thousand of those applications were submitted within a 48-hour period, and NMSC professional staff are hard at work processing and reviewing the incoming applications. 

Proud of 225 Lancers who are academically engaged & voluntarily taking the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test today. #WeAreLakePark pic.twitter.com/aNtvMAYH7k

— Lake Park HS (@LPLancers) October 11, 2017

In 2016, Gulnar Z. Mirza graduated summa cum laude from Cornell University with a degree in electrical and computer engineering and a minor in computer science. The National Merit $2500 Scholarship winner went on to pursue a master’s degree at Cornell’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. While at Cornell, Gulnar has enjoyed tutoring high school and middle school students in computer science, encouraging them to pursue future careers in STEM.  When asked what she would say to corporations, foundations, and colleges that are considering becoming sponsors of National Merit awards, Gulnar answered:

“One of the things I have learned from advising and tutoring high-school youth is that a lot of very bright, very promising students fear the financial burden of college will be too much to handle. To potential sponsors, any help you can give to these extremely talented students will directly impact their futures as engineers, scientists, doctors, teachers, and more. Supporting these future scholars will positively impact our communities, our schools, and our world.”

A double major in Neuroscience and English Literature At St. Olaf College, Makenna E. Ash hopes to expand her knowledge of the human brain. When asked why she chose her field of study, Makenna explains:

"I have chosen to study neuroscience because the human mind fascinates me - it is a conglomeration of nerve cells and blood vessels that resides within our heads, and it remains one of the greatest mysteries of life. There is so much that is unknown about the brain, and it is capable of amazing things. The folded and creased cerebral cortex contains countless secrets; it is a treasure trove of knowledge just waiting to be discovered. How is it that we breathe? How is it that we move? How is it that we, cords of bundled cells, are cognitive beings, that we are self-aware, that we dream, imagine, create, believe? I want to understand the brain. There is untapped potential hidden in our headspace, and the opportunity to explore the caverns of the mind is something I desire above all. Following this, I would like to attend graduate school and obtain my doctorate. I am not quite sure yet, but I would like to either work as a professor or a neurologist. If given the opportunity, I am extremely interested in conducting research on the gut-brain connection. I also hope to dedicate a significant amount of my life to serving others, whether through organizations such as the Peace Corps or Doctors Without Borders, or simply volunteering in my home."

 Makenna is a recipient of a 2015 National Merit Southwest Airlines Co. Scholarship. 

Page four from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation section of the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide provides an overview of the steps in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. Students, counselors, and parents can find more information regarding entry requirements and program information on our website.

Emily G. Hernandez is currently a graduate student at Stanford University, where she is pursuing a PhD in electrical engineering. The recipient of a 2012 National Merit $2500 Scholarship, she is a graduate of Missouri University of Science and Technology and holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with minors in mathematics and cognitive neuroscience. Emily has the following advice for students currently participating in the National Merit Program and for potential scholarship sponsors:

“To students who are competing in the program: Don’t underestimate the importance of this competition. Being a National Merit Finalist sets you apart from other college applicants and can make a huge difference in the merit-based scholarships your school offers. To potential sponsors: I wouldn’t be where I am today without the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Thanks to National Merit, I was paid to attend my university for four years. On top of that, I was offered leadership experiences and networking opportunities that made me a more well-rounded engineer."

A sophomore at Harvey Mudd College, Ina C. Flood is a physics major at with a passion for research and thirst for knowledge. When asked why she chose her field of study, Ina explains:

"I’m often frustrated by my inability to experience all that’s out there: in a universe so huge the moon can seem like a puddle-jump. For me, understanding physics is almost like going to the farthest parts of the universe and staying on earth all at the same time: discoveries apply not only here, but everywhere. With a degree in physics, I hope to contribute my own research to our understanding of the universe. While I'm not sure yet what sub-field I want to contribute to, I currently imagine myself doing theoretical work in something like quantum physics, astronomy, or another field involving phenomena usually beyond human experience. I’ll be receiving my degree from Harvey Mudd, a college that infuses its curriculum for scientists and engineers with awareness of sciences’ social impacts. So additionally, after graduation I hope to use what I’ve learned to remind my coworkers that conscience must be part of our quest to uncover the universe’s secrets."

 Ina is a recipient of a 2016 National Merit $2500 Scholarship. 

NMSC would like to wish all high school students taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) this month all the best. Students will enter the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2017 PSAT/NMSQT and meeting other program entry requirements. For more information about entry requirements, program recognition, scholarships, and sponsors, please see the 2017 Student Guide.

Know what these 16 Lemont HS have in common? They're National Merit Commended Students! Congrats! Info: https://t.co/1U4CVtsn5o #GoLemont pic.twitter.com/IAgB7EcGTQ

— Lemont High School (@LHS210_news) September 26, 2017

Reminder: October 11 is the deadline for high school officials and homeschool endorsers to transmit their Semifinalists’ National Merit Scholarship Applications to NMSC. Those who need assistance using NMSC’s Online Scholarship Application or who would like to request a deadline extension should contact Scholarship Administration at (847) 866-5162.

"Receiving this scholarship meant to me that there were others out there who believed in me as much as I believed in myself. College and University is a challenging, exciting, overwhelming time in a student's life and receiving this scholarship was an encouragement for me to know that there was a community of people that were behind me supporting and believing in me and my dreams"

Jodi E. Ferlito
PPG Industries Foundation Community Scholarship, 2012

Congrats to these PLHS National Merit Scholarship semifinalists! #WeArePLSAShttps://t.co/0hzdIjuRHi pic.twitter.com/N6cJlugo3h

— PL-Savage Schools (@isd719) September 20, 2017

2 Awesome students at MHS are National Merit Semi Finalists! Congrats W.O. and R.K. for such an awesome achievement #go2panthers #misdproud pic.twitter.com/mYAMgf5MnA

— Midlothian H.S. (@MHSPanthers) September 15, 2017

NMSC is excited to announce the names of approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship^® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and about half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar^® title. The release is made available here to provide information about the National Merit Scholarship Program. The names of Semifinalists are provided to news media for publication and are not posted on this website.

New and (more importantly) updated National Merit and Val/Sal wall!!!
Stay tuned.....more on the way!!!#westpride #WEareLakota pic.twitter.com/JkmkeU02BQ

— FirebirdTweets (@FirebirdTweets) July 28, 2017

 

We're so proud of our National Merit Scholarship recipients! https://t.co/0eev0HKBG2

— MCPS (@MCPS) July 25, 2017

 

A first-year mathematics PhD student at Columbia University, Gerhardt N. Hinkle asserts, “I would not have been able to afford college without scholarships,” and the National Merit Macy’s Inc. Scholarship has been “instrumental in allowing me access to excellent educational opportunities.” Gerhardt graduated summa cum laude from Rice University with a degree in mathematics and intends to become a research mathematician. He has participated in several research experiences through Rice University and Missouri State University, focusing on quantum physics and other areas of advanced mathematics. In the summer of 2015, Gerhardt conducted research with the chair of Rice’s mathematics department, and their findings were published in the Journal of Approximation Theory. Gerhardt appreciates the “direct exposure to academic research” he gained through these undertakings as well as the opportunity to work in a collaborative setting.

As a high school sophomore, Nivedina A. Sarma was accepted into the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science at the University of North Texas. She enrolled in college classes and combined her passions for mathematics and music theory by completing a research project investigating a formula for award-winning musical compositions.  Nivedina presented her findings and won first place at the INSPIRE research competition through Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “I am empowered when I work on projects that juggle different fields,” Nivedina explains, “because I believe that interdisciplinary work is at the heart of innovation.”

Maria V. Filsinger Interrante credits the education she received at Stanford University with giving her a solid foundation of research and scientific communication skills. She conducted studies on organic synthesis at the University of Leibniz in Hanover, Germany, and presented her research on new cancer therapies at a conference in Izmir, Turkey. Maria worked as an EMT in the Stanford Emergency Medical Service for three years and also spent time as a trainer for the Nepal Ambulance Service during a study abroad program in Kathmandu. Working as an EMT “solidified my desire to include medical service as part of my career,” Maria says. “I loved the necessity of working under pressure and the ability to help people in the immediate sense.”

Ronald Obi Nwumeh considers his National Achievement Scholarship to be both “a reward for hard work and motivation for future accomplishments.” A recent cum laude graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Obi believes “life is interdisciplinary,” and adds that his degree in molecular biology and biochemistry along with his minor in Chinese language and culture have given him “fresh perspectives, necessary skills, people to learn from, and a clearer understanding of the world.” In college, Obi studied abroad at Fudan University in Shanghai as part of the Global MedPrep Scholars Program, which is designed for undergraduate students interested in global healthcare. The experience abroad helped him gain a wide perspective of the medical field as well as “a sense of adventure and a love of experiencing different ways of life.”

As a high school student, Grant H. Mercer started Building Buddies, a service organization that distributes Legos to homeless children. Grant would carry bins of Legos to homeless shelters and spend time getting to know the children and helping them with their academics. The goal, Grant explains, was “to just let them know that someone cares about them.” So far, Grant has distributed over 750 boxes of Legos to shelters in three states. 

While attending Johns Hopkins University, Amy T. Sun pursued a double degree in biomedical engineering and engineering mechanics. She gained valuable laboratory experience at several internships, including two at the National Institutes of Health, and worked as a research assistant in the systems biology laboratory at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Amy is passionate about “solving problems and understanding how the world works” and is grateful for her scholarship, which helped her partake in study abroad opportunities.

Endlessly curious and exceptionally innovative, George N. Pandya says, “I am always thrilled to immerse myself in a fascinating new problem, learning something new, whether I fail or succeed.” George received three associate’s degrees as a dual-enrollment student before graduating from high school, and his passion for learning has enabled him to gain experience both in the academic sphere and the workplace.

The youngest of six sisters, Natalie M. Johnson has experienced the financial strain that often accompanies a quality education. “Winning a National Achievement Scholarship,” she says, “was very moving for me because it meant for the first time in my life I could pursue my academic passions without stress caused by limited finances.” Natalie iterates, “very real social barriers prevent other low-income students from achieving the same things as I have.” She intends to use her education to give back to others.

Laurel M. Wright is the 2016 recipient of the National Merit John M. Stalnaker Memorial Scholarship, which is given each year to an outstanding National Merit Finalist planning to pursue a career in mathematics or science. This four-year award is underwritten by NMSC in honor of its founding President and Chief Executive Officer, who recognized a need for increased support of science and math in America. Laurel is attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she plans to turn her dream of becoming a theoretical physicist into a reality.

Isaiah J. Drummond was inspired to combine his interests in biology and mechanical engineering after attending the Minority Introduction to Engineering and Sciences (MITES) summer program through Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At MITES, he won the Edna and Leon Trilling Award for Overall Academic Excellence, completed research at the Broad Institute for Genomics, and interviewed professionals at the Boston Medical Center. These activities motivated him to “work diligently to leave a positive, lasting impact on the world.” Isaiah asserts,“I hope to discover new ways to fight against ailments” and “use my knowledge and skills to increase public awareness of diseases and encourage others to join the fight.”